Blow for Netanyahu as pre-trial corruption hearing begins a day after talks called off

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s long-awaited pre-indictment hearing on corruption charges began in Jerusalem yesterday, as the country eagerly seeks clarity on his legal standing amid the stalemate that followed the country’s second inconclusive election of the year.

Israel’s attorney general has recommended charging Mr Netanyahu with bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three separate cases.

Mr Netanyahu has denied wrongdoing, saying the charges were part of a media-orchestrated witch hunt.

He has been accused of accepting champagne and cigars worth hundreds of thousands of dollars from billionaire friends and agreeing with the publisher of a major newspaper to promote legislation that would weaken a rival daily in return for softer treatment.

He also allegedly used his influence to help a wealthy telecoms magnate in exchange for favourable coverage on a popular news website.

The investigations are known as Cases 1,000, 2,000 and 4,000.

Mr Netanyahu has long promised he would clear his name in the hearing.

His lawyers arrived at the Justice Ministry in Jerusalem to argue that all charges should be dropped. Any decision on his indictment is likely only later in the year.

The hearing began a day after the centrist Blue and White party of Israel’s former military chief Benny Gantz pulled out of planned talks on forming a unity government with Mr Netanyahu.

Blue and White representatives were yesterday due to meet counterparts from Mr Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party, followed by face-to-face discussions between the two rivals.

But on Tuesday night, after a two-day holiday to mark the Jewish New Year, Mr Gantz’s party announced it had cancelled the talks.

“At this stage, the conditions upon which any further meetings between the negotiating teams may take place have not been met,” Blue and White said.

“In view of this, no meeting will be held on Wednesday,” it said, but did not rule out talks at a later date.

“When deemed appropriate and necessary, an additional meeting will be scheduled for this week or next.”

The meeting between Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gantz was also called off.

Mr Netanyahu is the first sitting Israeli prime minister to go through a pre-indictment hearing process.

Ehud Olmert, facing corruption allegations, quit as Israel’s leader in 2008 before such sessions could be held or any indictment filed.

He was eventually charged and convicted of accepting bribes, and served 16 months in jail before his release in 2017.

Mr Netanyahu is the first sitting Israeli prime minister to undergo a pre-indictment hearing process