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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told investigators he "doesn't remember" nearly 1,800 times during police questioning about corruption charges, a prosecutor revealed during cross-examination proceedings Wednesday at Tel Aviv District Court.
State prosecutor Yehonatan Tadmor challenged Netanyahu's frequent claims of memory lapses during the second day of the prime minister's historic testimony in his criminal trial. Netanyahu became the first sitting Israeli leader to take the witness stand as a criminal defendant when proceedings began Tuesday.
"The prime minister used the phrase that he 'doesn't remember' 1,778 times during police questioning regarding cases 1000 and 2000," Tadmor told the court, according to Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth. The prosecutor noted that Netanyahu's use of the phrase increased as interrogation sessions continued.
Tadmor disputed Netanyahu's claims of poor memory, describing it as "phenomenal" and citing testimony from Nir Hefetz, the prime minister's former senior aide.
Wednesday's session focused on Case 1000, where Netanyahu faces charges of fraud and breach of trust. Prosecutors allege he accepted luxury gifts worth hundreds of thousands of shekels from Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and Australian billionaire James Packer, then provided favors in return.
The courtroom proceedings unfolded against the backdrop of a coalition crisis. Ultra-Orthodox parties have threatened to destabilize Netanyahu's government over delayed legislation that would exempt Haredi Jews from mandatory military service, according to Israeli media reports.
Netanyahu faces three separate corruption cases filed in 2019: Case 1000, Case 2000, and Case 4000. The charges include bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. He has denied all wrongdoing, calling the accusations "fake."
The trial, which began May 24, 2020, represents a watershed moment in Israeli politics. Under Israeli law, Netanyahu is not required to resign unless convicted by the Supreme Court, a process that could take several months.
Beyond the domestic corruption charges, Netanyahu faces international legal scrutiny. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November 2024 for him and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the conflict in Gaza, where more than 54,500 people, mostly women and children, have been killed since Oct. 7, 2023.
Israeli media characterized Netanyahu's cross-examination as a "dramatic shift," marking the first time the prime minister has appeared before public prosecutors for Case 1000.
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