The criminal corruption case against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will move forward again this Sunday, according to a court spokesperson who made the announcement Thursday. The resumption comes just hours after Israel ended its emergency declaration that was put in place during hostilities with Iran.
Tensions escalated when Iran launched ballistic missile and drone strikes against Israel following joint Israeli and U.S. airstrikes on Iranian targets on February 28. The allied forces cited goals of limiting Iran’s regional influence, halting its nuclear program, and supporting regime change efforts.
Israel’s emergency status, which shuttered educational institutions and businesses, was removed Wednesday night after no incoming Iranian projectiles were detected since 3 a.m. local time following a ceasefire agreement. However, Israel’s extensive military operations in Lebanon targeting Iran-supported Hezbollah forces have put the fragile truce at risk.
“With the lifting of the state of emergency and the return of the judicial system to work, hearings will resume as usual,” court officials announced, noting that sessions will occur from Sunday through Wednesday each week.
Netanyahu holds the distinction of being Israel’s first serving prime minister to face criminal charges. He maintains his innocence against accusations of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust filed in 2019 following extensive investigations. The trial started in 2020 and carries potential prison sentences, though it has faced numerous postponements due to Netanyahu’s governmental responsibilities, with no conclusion timeline established.
Former President Trump has supported Netanyahu’s appeals to Israeli President Isaac Herzog for a presidential pardon, arguing that mandatory court appearances interfere with his ability to perform his duties effectively.
Herzog’s administration stated that the justice ministry’s pardons office will collect input to present to the president’s legal counsel, who will develop a recommendation following established procedures. Presidential pardons typically are not granted while trials are ongoing.
The criminal allegations against Netanyahu, combined with Hamas’s October 2023 attacks on Israel, have weakened his political position. Israel faces elections in October where Netanyahu’s coalition government, considered the most conservative in the nation’s history, appears likely to face defeat.
