Newsletters
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial testimony was canceled approximately 90 minutes before it was scheduled to begin on Monday.
Citing unspecified "security reasons," defense attorney Amit Haddad requested the postponement following six weeks of delays linked to the ongoing conflict with Iran, Israeli media outlet Yedioth Ahronoth reported.
Netanyahu's attorney Amit Haddad submitted a request citing "security reasons" as the basis for cancellation. The court accepted the request and postponed the hearing.
A formal request was expected to be submitted to the Courts Administration on Monday morning.
"Due to the prime minister's security schedule, which will be detailed in a sealed envelope that will be submitted to the court and the prosecutor's representative, the court is requested to cancel the hearing scheduled for today," the written request submitted after the cancellation read.
The cancellation follows a pattern established since the Iran ceasefire took effect: Netanyahu had successfully sought postponements on "security" grounds for approximately two weeks following the April 8 ceasefire, and had been absent from testimony for roughly six weeks since the attacks on Iran began Feb. 28.
Netanyahu faces charges in three cases designated Cases 1000, 2000, and 4000. Prosecutors filed indictments in November 2019.
Case 4000, considered the most serious, involves allegations that Netanyahu advanced regulatory decisions benefiting Shaul Elovitch, former owner of the Walla news website and former Bezeq telecommunications executive, in exchange for positive news coverage.
Netanyahu additionally faces an International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued in November 2024 on accusations of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Trump wrote to Israeli President Isaac Herzog in November 2025, requesting a pardon for Netanyahu, and Netanyahu subsequently applied for a pardon, despite having previously said he would not do so.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
4 min read
