The Times of Israel newspaper said on Monday that Netanyahu’s defense team informed the District Court in Jerusalem that a series of security incidents that occurred during the time allotted to prepare the testimony made the task “impossible,” in its estimation.
The defense team stated that the developments witnessed in the war in recent months “caused the cancellation of most of the time periods allocated to prepare the Prime Minister to testify due to urgent security or diplomatic needs.”
They noted that “this slight delay will enable the defense to properly prepare for its testimony and will not harm the public interest.”
According to the newspaper, the postponement request was expected on the basis that the ongoing war prevents him from adequately preparing for his testimony, in addition to the fact that the Prime Minister cannot appear for trial in court at this time “because it does not contain a safe room or bomb shelter.”
Netanyahu’s house in Caesarea, northern Israel, was attacked by a drone launched by Hezbollah last month, which prompted the adoption of new security protocols that made him work primarily from variable and safe locations, as the newspaper reported.
The newspaper explained that Netanyahu is scheduled to testify on December 2nd with the start of his legal team’s defense after the Public Prosecution stopped earlier this year. This testimony is expected to last several hours a day and take weeks to complete.
Last July, Netanyahu’s legal team asked the court to postpone his testimony from November to March 2025 due to his need to “manage the war,” but the court rejected the request and set the date for next December.
Netanyahu faces charges of fraud and breach of trust in two cases, and bribery, fraud and breach of trust in a third case, according to the newspaper.
These charges were brought in January 2020 and his trial began in May of that year, while Netanyahu denies these charges.
Since last October 7, the Israeli army has been waging a devastating war on the Gaza Strip, leaving 43,603 dead and 102,929 injured, according to the latest statistics from the Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Strip.
Source: “The Times of Israel”
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**Interview with Legal Analyst Sarah Cohen on Netanyahu’s Defense Team’s Recent Statement**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Sarah. The Times of Israel reported that Prime Minister Netanyahu’s defense team has claimed that a series of recent security incidents have made it difficult for them to prepare his testimony. Can you elaborate on the implications of this situation?
**Sarah Cohen:** Thank you for having me. This is a significant development in Netanyahu’s case. The defense team’s assertion that urgent security needs have interfered with their preparation time raises concerns about the interplay between legal proceedings and national security. It suggests that the circumstances surrounding the ongoing conflict are not just affecting military operations but are also impacting judicial processes.
**Editor:** The defense team mentioned that the cancellation of scheduled preparation sessions was due to these urgent needs. Do you think this is a legitimate reason for delaying testimony in court?
**Sarah Cohen:** From a legal perspective, the court does have to consider the context in which the defendant operates—especially in a position as high-profile as the Prime Minister. If legitimate national security issues are at play, the court may view this claim favorably and allow for a delay. However, it also raises questions about accountability and the extent to which political leaders can leverage security concerns to influence legal outcomes.
**Editor:** With this context, how might this delay affect the overall legal process for Netanyahu?
**Sarah Cohen:** This slight delay could indeed have a significant impact. It gives the defense team more time to prepare a comprehensive strategy, potentially strengthening their case. However, it may also prolong the legal proceedings, which could lead to increased public scrutiny and influence perceptions regarding Netanyahu’s leadership during this crisis.
**Editor:** Lastly, what do you think the future holds for this case moving forward?
**Sarah Cohen:** It’s hard to predict definitively. However, if the defense successfully argues for more time based on these unforeseen security incidents, we may see the case extended further. The court’s response to this claim will be pivotal, as it could set a precedent for future cases involving political figures in crisis situations. It’s certainly an evolving situation that we will need to monitor closely.
**Editor:** Thank you, Sarah, for your insights on this complex issue. We appreciate your time.
**Sarah Cohen:** Thank you for having me.
