{"id":18383,"date":"2021-04-05T05:16:21","date_gmt":"2021-04-05T09:16:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/?p=18383"},"modified":"2021-04-05T05:16:21","modified_gmt":"2021-04-05T09:16:21","slug":"benjamin-netanyahu-trial-israel-pm-made-illegitimate-use-of-power","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/2021\/04\/05\/benjamin-netanyahu-trial-israel-pm-made-illegitimate-use-of-power\/","title":{"rendered":"Benjamin Netanyahu trial: Israel PM made &#8216;illegitimate use&#8217; of power"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-3z08n3-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p><b class=\"ssrcss-14iz86j-BoldText e5tfeyi0\">Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu made &#8220;illegitimate use&#8221; of his power and saw favours as &#8220;currency&#8221;, a prosecutor has alleged at his corruption trial.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-3z08n3-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Liat Ben Ari told a court in Jerusalem that he sought &#8220;improper benefits from owners of major media in Israel in order to advance his personal affairs&#8221;.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-3z08n3-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Mr Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-3z08n3-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>The hearing comes as Israel&#8217;s president meets parliamentarians to ask whom they support to form the next government following last month&#8217;s election.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-3z08n3-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>It failed to end the long period of political stalemate that has led to four elections in two years, leaving both Mr Netanyahu&#8217;s right-wing bloc and the parties opposed to him remaining in power short of a majority.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"unordered-list-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-3z08n3-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1pzprxn-BulletListContainer e5tfeyi3\">\n<ul role=\"list\">\n<li><a class=\"ssrcss-hiczm3-InlineLink e1no5rhv0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/world-middle-east-47409739\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">What are the allegations against him?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"ssrcss-hiczm3-InlineLink e1no5rhv0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/world-middle-east-18008697\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Benjamin Netanyahu: Commando turned PM<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-3z08n3-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Once President Reuven Rivlin has consulted all the parties, he will nominate whoever he thinks has the best chance of forming a governing coalition.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-3z08n3-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Israeli media cited him as telling members of the Yesh Atid party of opposition leader Yair Lapid: &#8220;At the moment, I can&#8217;t see a way to form a coalition.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-3z08n3-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Mr Netanyahu&#8217;s rivals fear that if he remains prime minister he will push through legislation that would grant him immunity from prosecution while in office. He rejects such a claim.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-mysbf6-ComponentWrapper-CrossheadComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"crosshead-block\">\n<h2 class=\"ssrcss-qozapo-StyledHeading e1fj1fc10\">What is Benjamin Netanyahu accused of?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-3z08n3-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>He has been indicted in three cases, known as 1,000, 2,000 and 4,000:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"unordered-list-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-3z08n3-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1pzprxn-BulletListContainer e5tfeyi3\">\n<ul role=\"list\">\n<li><b class=\"ssrcss-14iz86j-BoldText e5tfeyi0\">Case 1,000<\/b>\u00a0&#8211; Fraud and breach of trust: he is accused of receiving gifts &#8211; mainly cigars and bottles of champagne &#8211; from powerful businessmen in exchange for favours<\/li>\n<li><b class=\"ssrcss-14iz86j-BoldText e5tfeyi0\">Case 2,000<\/b>\u00a0&#8211; Fraud and breach of trust: Mr Netanyahu is accused of offering to help improve the circulation of Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronot in exchange for positive coverage<\/li>\n<li><b class=\"ssrcss-14iz86j-BoldText e5tfeyi0\">Case 4,000<\/b>\u00a0&#8211; Bribery, fraud and breach of trust: As PM and minister of communications at the time of the alleged offence, Mr Netanyahu is accused of promoting regulatory decisions favourable to the controlling shareholder in the Bezeq telecom giant, Shaul Elovitch, in exchange for positive coverage by Mr Elovitch&#8217;s Walla news site<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-3z08n3-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Mr Netanyahu has denied all the charges against him, branding them a &#8220;witch-hunt&#8221; by his political opponents, and has vowed to clear his name.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-mysbf6-ComponentWrapper-CrossheadComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"crosshead-block\">\n<h2 class=\"ssrcss-qozapo-StyledHeading e1fj1fc10\">What happened at Monday&#8217;s hearing?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-3z08n3-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Dozens of Netanyahu supporters and protesters demanding his removal from office gathered outside the Jerusalem District Court as the prime minister arrived for the start of the trial&#8217;s evidentiary stage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-3z08n3-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Mr Netanyahu sat with his lawyers as Ms Ben Ari delivered the prosecution&#8217;s opening statement, describing what she called &#8220;a significant and severe case of regime corruption&#8221;.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-3z08n3-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-3z08n3-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>&#8220;The relationship between Netanyahu and the defendants became currency, something that could be traded,&#8221; she told the three-judge panel. &#8220;This currency could distort a public servant&#8217;s judgment.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18mjolk-ComponentWrapper e1xue1i80\" data-component=\"image-block\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-2y05cd-StyledFigure e34k3c20\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-kwaqyc-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c22\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1hq4gmv-Placeholder e16icw910\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"ssrcss-evoj7m-Image ee0ct7c0\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/2DD6\/production\/_117843711_a81025e4-a040-48d0-8b55-e516f5e63452.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/2DD6\/production\/_117843711_a81025e4-a040-48d0-8b55-e516f5e63452.jpg 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/2DD6\/production\/_117843711_a81025e4-a040-48d0-8b55-e516f5e63452.jpg 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/2DD6\/production\/_117843711_a81025e4-a040-48d0-8b55-e516f5e63452.jpg 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/2DD6\/production\/_117843711_a81025e4-a040-48d0-8b55-e516f5e63452.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/2DD6\/production\/_117843711_a81025e4-a040-48d0-8b55-e516f5e63452.jpg 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/2DD6\/production\/_117843711_a81025e4-a040-48d0-8b55-e516f5e63452.jpg 976w\" alt=\"Protesters hold up a banner saying &quot;crime minister&quot; near the Jerusalem court ahead of the resumption of Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial (5 April 2021)\" width=\"976\" height=\"549\" \/><\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"ssrcss-1rnnz6t-StyledFigureCaption e34k3c21\">Protesters demanding Mr Netanyahu&#8217;s resignation gathered outside the court on Monday (Image: EPA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-3z08n3-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Afterwards, Mr Netanyahu was allowed to leave the courtroom and the first witness, Ilan Yeshua, the former CEO of the Walla news site, took the stand.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-3z08n3-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Mr Yeshua&#8217;s testimony is seen as key to Case 4,000, which is considered the most serious against the prime minister because it involves the bribery charge.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-3z08n3-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Walla&#8217;s chief executive editor, Aviram Elad, former news director Michal Klein and former head of the news desk Amit Eshel\u00a0<a class=\"ssrcss-hiczm3-InlineLink e1no5rhv0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jpost.com\/israel-news\/politics-and-diplomacy\/netanyahu-trial-initial-witness-list-set-finalized-660609\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">are expected to testify next<\/a>, followed by former communications ministry director-general Avi Berger.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-3z08n3-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>In February, the judges agreed to a request by Mr Netanyahu for the evidentiary stage to be delayed until after the election. He warned that failing to do so would represent a &#8220;crude intervention&#8221; in the poll.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-3z08n3-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Mr Netanyahu also insisted the cases against him were &#8220;not even completed fabrications&#8221;, adding that &#8220;lots of things are missing, even from the prosecution&#8217;s point of view&#8221;.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-mysbf6-ComponentWrapper-CrossheadComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"crosshead-block\">\n<h2 class=\"ssrcss-qozapo-StyledHeading e1fj1fc10\">How can the PM serve and stand trial?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-3z08n3-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>He is presumed innocent unless proven otherwise, and there is currently no legal barrier to him staying in office as prime minister.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-3z08n3-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>And even if convicted, Mr Netanyahu would not be required to step down until the appeals process is exhausted &#8211; something that could take years.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-3z08n3-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>A former prime minister, Ehud Olmert, stepped down as his party&#8217;s leader when he was under investigation for corruption in 2008 but technically remained in office until elections the following year &#8211; polls which brought Benjamin Netanyahu to power.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-3z08n3-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Mr Olmert was eventually convicted of bribery, fraud, obstruction of justice and breach of trust in connection with several cases. He served 16 months of a 27-month prison sentence.<\/p>\n<p>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/world-middle-east-56606223\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bbc.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\">Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu made &#8220;illegitimate use&#8221; of his power and saw favours as &#8220;currency&#8221;, a prosecutor has alleged at his corruption trial. Liat Ben Ari told a court in Jerusalem that he sought &#8220;improper <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/2021\/04\/05\/benjamin-netanyahu-trial-israel-pm-made-illegitimate-use-of-power\/\" title=\"Benjamin Netanyahu trial: Israel PM made &#8216;illegitimate use&#8217; of power\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14053,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[109,2,6],"tags":[6030,948,749],"class_list":{"0":"post-18383","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-headline","8":"category-news","9":"category-world","10":"tag-benjamin-netanyahu","11":"tag-corruption","12":"tag-israel","13":"pmpro-has-access"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18383","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18383"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18383\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18384,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18383\/revisions\/18384"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14053"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18383"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18383"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18383"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}