Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial resumed Wednesday morning at the Tel Aviv District Court, just days after U.S. President Donald Trump’s high-profile visit to Israel and the return of hostages from Gaza. The hearing sparked a coordinated political push by senior Likud figures calling for the case to be canceled altogether.
In what appeared to be a planned show of support ahead of the approaching Likud primaries, several ministers and Knesset members arrived at the courthouse to back Netanyahu. They issued public statements asserting that the trial should be annulled, describing it as unjust and harmful to Israel’s national interests.
Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who did not attend the session, released a statement declaring that “the prime minister’s trial should never have begun, and its continuation contradicts both justice and the good of the state.” Levin urged lawmakers to advance a bill proposed by Likud lawmaker Ariel Kallner that would allow the defense minister—after consulting with the justice minister—to cancel Netanyahu’s court hearings.
Levin said he had already voiced his support for “the rapid advancement of MK Kallner’s important legislation, designed to ensure that the prime minister can devote his full attention to managing the affairs of the state at this time.” He added that he intends to bring the bill before the Ministerial Committee for Legislation “immediately after it is formally introduced.”
Ministers rally behind Netanyahu
As the proceedings began, dozens of protesters gathered outside the courthouse, chanting “shame” at ministers and lawmakers arriving in support of Netanyahu. Among those seen at the court were Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar, Economy Minister Nir Barkat, Education Minister Yoav Kisch, Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, Intelligence Minister Gila Gamliel and Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman.
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana also appeared, along with coalition lawmakers Nissim Vaturi, Tally Gotliv, Osher Shekalim and Tsega Melaku, as well as former MK Osnat Mark and other party activists. Several of them exchanged sharp words with anti-Netanyahu demonstrators, including inside the courtroom after the prime minister entered.
Outside, police attempted to maintain order as the rival groups traded insults. Inside, Netanyahu sat quietly beside his legal team, led by attorney Amit Hadad, who also confronted protesters at the courthouse entrance.
Claims of a fabricated trial
Education Minister Kisch issued his own statement before the hearing, calling for the trial to be scrapped. He said Israel was in “one of its most sensitive and critical periods” and argued that “at such a fateful time, when leadership must be entirely focused on national goals, it is unacceptable that the prime minister must devote long hours, energy and attention to a fabricated and unnecessary trial — one that has become a public and legal circus.”
Kisch added that the problem was not only timing but substance, saying, “This trial, from its roots, is wrong. It was built on distortions, leaks, pressure and fabricated accusations. It has become a political weapon and an example of selective enforcement that has no place in a democracy.”
He also referred to Trump’s comments earlier this week urging Israel to pardon Netanyahu: “In his speech to the Knesset and on many other occasions, President Trump said what most of us already think — that Netanyahu’s trial is political, distorted and based on foreign motives. It should be canceled.”
Culture and Sports Minister Zohar, who also called for the trial’s cancellation, said he was “astonished” it was still ongoing. He referred to Trump’s speech in the Knesset two days earlier, during which the U.S. president publicly suggested that President Isaac Herzog grant Netanyahu a pardon.
“The prime minister of Israel, who in these very days is leading one of the most significant efforts in our nation’s history, is being forced to waste his valuable time on pointless court hearings dealing with trivialities that only divide the nation,” Zohar said. “I call on my fellow ministers to join our great friend, President Donald Trump, and ask President Herzog to grant the prime minister a pardon. It’s time to end this absurd saga and reunite the people.”
During his lengthy address to the Knesset earlier this week, Trump stunned lawmakers when he turned to President Herzog and asked directly, “Mr. President, why not grant Netanyahu a pardon?” Herzog appeared startled by the suggestion, while Netanyahu smiled from his seat. Members of both the coalition and the opposition applauded the remark.
Departing from his prepared text, Trump said, “This wasn’t in the teleprompter, but I like this man. Cigars and champagne — who cares about that? He’s one of the greatest leaders this country has had during wartime.”
“I don’t think that’s controversial,” Trump added. “You’re a very popular man because you know how to win.” He then again addressed Herzog about the idea of a pardon, drawing another round of applause from the plenum.
Netanyahu’s request to postpone the hearing
Netanyahu’s legal team had filed a formal request Sunday to postpone Wednesday’s hearing, citing a visit by the president of Cyprus and what it described as an “urgent and highly significant diplomatic meeting.” It later emerged that the planned meeting was with the president of Indonesia, though the visit was subsequently canceled. The court proceeded with the hearing as scheduled.
Netanyahu’s previous testimony was on Sept. 17, before the Jewish New Year. That session, part of his cross-examination, was interrupted by anti-government protesters calling on him to secure the release of hostages and end the war. The protesters were removed from the courtroom, while Netanyahu’s supporters were permitted to stay. Since then, no hearings have been held because of the holiday period and Netanyahu’s trip to the United States.
The defense’s request on Sunday stated that “exceptional diplomatic and historic developments make it impossible to hold the hearing as planned.” It noted that Netanyahu was scheduled to meet the Cypriot president at 11 a.m. and attend another “urgent and important diplomatic meeting” that evening, at 6 p.m., the details of which were submitted to the court under seal.
By Monday morning, reports in Israel said officials were preparing for a “dramatic and unprecedented” visit by Indonesia’s president. Israeli officials familiar with the matter told Ynet that “the visit was finalized. Trump arranged it and pressured the president to come to Israel, but once it leaked, the Indonesians backed out.”