Alwaght- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, currently grappling with the mounting challenges from the war stalemate and growing opposition to the Gaza campaign, is caught between contentious cabinet meetings and trial sessions.
In fact, it seems that with the failure of agenda of war on Gaza, trials on corruption and other charges are becoming a lever in the hands of the opposition forces to push towards ousting of Netanyahu who in recent years has faced several judicial cases that have seriously impacted his political and personal life. Known as "Netanyahu's corruption cases", these cases have been officially under investigation since 2016 and have so far passed several stages.
First hearing was held on May 24, 2020, and Netanyahu attended as a defendant while holding the post of prime minister. By 2024, over 40 sessions were held, but the proceeding has been so slow due to judicial delays and the tactics of Netanyahu's defense team. The final verdict is expected in 2025. Below, we will discuss in detail the various aspects of these cases, the charges, the trial process, Netanyahu's confrontation with the judicial system, and his tactics to evade conviction.
Main charges
Netanyahu is charged in three main cases, Case 1000, Case 2000 and Case 4000. These cases mainly revolve around abuse of power, bribery and fraud.
1. Case 1000 (illegal gifts)
Netanyahu’s main charge in this case is that he received illegal gifts from wealthy individuals and foreign officials totaling approximately 700,000 shekels ($200,000) between 2007 and 2016.
Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, are accused of accepting luxury gifts (such as cigars, jewelry, and champagne) from wealthy businessmen such as Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and Australian billionaire James Packer in exchange for political and tax donations.
2. Case 2000 (Collusion with the Media)
Netanyahu's main charge in this case was colluding with the right-wing newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, a newspaper close to the right, to receive positive media coverage in exchange for limiting the circulation of a rival newspaper.
3. Case 4000
Netanyahu is also accused in this case of influencing government regulations in favor of Shaul Elwich, owner of the Bezeq telecommunications company, in exchange for positive coverage on the Walla news website, which is affiliated with Bezeq Group.
Netanyahu's confrontation with judicial system
Netanyahu has consistently labeled the charges a "political conspiracy and a witch hunt" and claimed innocence. He has used several strategies to fight the trial:
1. Delaying the trial
Netanyahu's legal team has delayed the trial by repeatedly filing appeals, delaying the presentation of evidence, and changing defense attorneys.
2. Using political power to undermine the judicial system
In recent years, Netanyahu has attempted to reduce the powers of the Supreme Court and gain greater control over the appointment of judges by proposing judicial reforms. These measures have been met with widespread public protests.
3. Media propaganda and creating doubt in public opinion
Netanyahu has used pro-government media to accuse the judicial system of political bias and has tried to mobilize public opinion against the judges.
Why not jailed yet?
The PM and his defense team have resorted to various tricks to delay the trial process. Here are some of them:
1. Intentional delays in the trial process
Netanyahu’s defense team has repeatedly requested postponements of hearings, using legal tactics to prolong the trial (such as government engagements, lawyer illness, or the need for more time to review evidence). For example, in 2021, several hearings were postponed due to the PM's alleged engagement or technical difficulties. Netanyahu has also changed his lawyers several times, each time resulting in a temporary suspension of the case.
Also, each time the court rules against Netanyahu, the defense team files a lawsuit with the Supreme Court to prolong the process. For example, in Case 4000, Netanyahu’s defense repeatedly appealed the rejection of his motions to suppress the evidence.
Another tactic has been to question the competence of judges and prosecutors. Netanyahu’s team has repeatedly claimed that prosecutors and judges are politically biased and has called for their replacement. For example, in 2020, his lawyers filed a claim of bias against Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit and demanded his removal from the case.
Another action in this aim is repeated requeststs for access to classified documents that take months to finish. For instance, in Case 1000, his lawyers applied for access to government taped conversations.
2. Abuse of political power
Netanyahu has prevented direct pressure to resign by maintaining his party base and political coalitions. One of the most important of these has been the use of judicial reforms to pressure the courts. In recent years, Netanyahu has tried to limit the powers of the courts and reduce chances of his conviction through controversial judicial reforms. In 2023, his plans to reduce the power of the Supreme Court caused widespread protests, but this political pressure worked in his favor in court cases.
3. No definitive conviction
Netanyahu enjoys relative immunity until a final verdict is issued.
4. Support from a part of society
A section of the Israeli right-wing considers him a victim of a "left-wing judicial system" and supports him. They believe that the charges are a pretext to overthrow a right-wing leader. Slogans such as "Lying prosecutor!" and "Political justice!" are seen at his supporters' demonstrations.
Polarization of society: Netanyahu's supporters and opponents
Netanyahu's judicial cases are not only a legal challenge, but also a deep political and social polarizing force in the occupied territories. These trials have divided the Israeli society, heightened tensions between political factions, and even increased instability.
While polls show that public trust in the Supreme Court has plummeted among the right-wing puhlic, Netanyahu’s opponents have been holding ongoing demonstrations against the government, arguing that he is seeking to maintain power at all costs by undermining the rule of law.
Meanwhile, demonstrations between Netanyahu’s supporters and opponents have repeatedly escalated into violent clashes, as in 2023, anti-Netanyahu demonstrators blocked roads leading to the Knesset and some of his supporters resorted to violence. As these clashes escalated, fears of civil war have also become more evident in Israeli politics than ever before, as if he is convicted, his supporters might see the democratic system as illegitimate, and if he is acquitted, his opponents would see the judicial system as a failure.
Netanyahu's traditional supporters mainly rise from the Eastern European migrants, Orthodox Jews, and the settlers who mostly see the judicial system "anti-Zionist." On the opposite side stand the educated urban youths who are mostly against Netanyahu and in favor of judicial reforms.
In Israeli politics, Netanyahu has become a factor hindering the coalition of parties and formation of cabinet. Actually, in recent years, government coalitions have grown largely fragile due to the division over Netanyahu cases. For example, some parties like Yamina have been split between support and and opposition to Netanyahu.
All in all, Netanyahu's cases have gone beyond being just legal battles about him personally— they have laid bare the deep division within Israeli society.
