Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due to testify in his corruption trial for the first time on Tuesday, a watershed moment in the lengthy procedures that come as the leader wages war in Gaza and faces an international arrest order for war crimes.
At home, Netanyahu is on trial on charges of fraud, breach of trust, and receiving bribes in three distinct cases. Netanyahu denies wrongdoing, but his presence on the witness stand will be a low moment in his decades-long political career, contradicting his image as a knowledgeable, respected leader.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is set to face a criminal trial, marking the first time he has taken the stand as a defendant. Despite his stand, he will still manage the Gaza war, maintain a ceasefire with Hezbollah, and monitor threats from the Middle East, including Iran.
The trial will be moved to an underground chamber in a Tel Aviv court as a security precaution. Netanyahu’s appearance will also highlight other legal issues in his orbit, including a series of scandals involving leaked classified information and doctored documents, which could weaken his public image. The trial will take up a significant portion of Netanyahu’s time.
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