The corruption trial against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu resumed in Jerusalem on Monday after an emergency wartime suspension of proceedings expired last week.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing charges of fraud, breach of trust and bribery. He denies any wrongdoing.
In one case, it is alleged that the prime minister offered perks to Israeli telecom giant Bezeq during his time as communications minister in return for favorable reporting.
In another, Netanyahu is accused of accepting luxury gifts worth around 700,000 shekels ($189,000; €174,000) between 2007 and 2016 — including jewelry, cigars and pink champagne — in return for his support of the extension of a law which would have saved Israeli Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan millions in tax payments.
Bribery charges in Israel carry a jail sentence of up to 10 years and/or a fine. Fraud and breach of trust carry prison sentences of up to three years.
The trial got under way in May 2020 and has been repeatedly delayed over defense and prosecution disputes and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu has been accused of using the legislation to try to circumvent his legal problems.
