Foreign News
Netanyahu’s last stand: Trials, war and a fight for survival
Benjamin Netanyahu will enter Israel’s October 27 election campaign with a distinction no previous sitting Israeli prime minister has carried to the ballot box: he is simultaneously running the country and defending himself in a criminal trial.
Netanyahu was indicted in 2019 and his trial began in 2020. He faces fraud and breach-of-trust charges in three separate cases and an additional bribery charge in the most serious of them.
His wife, Sara Netanyahu, has her own legal record. In 2019, she admitted criminal wrongdoing in a case involving the misuse of state funds for catered meals and was convicted under a plea agreement. She is now also under criminal investigation over allegations that she sought to intimidate a key witness in her husband’s corruption trial.
Both have rejected allegations of wrongdoing in the proceedings currently involving them.
Three cases still before the court
The corruption prosecution against Netanyahu is built around Cases 1000, 2000 and 4000.
In Case 1000, prosecutors allege Netanyahu and members of his family received expensive gifts, including cigars and champagne, from wealthy businessmen while the prime minister intervened in matters that could benefit them.
Case 2000 concerns recorded discussions between Netanyahu and Yedioth Ahronoth publisher Arnon Mozes. Prosecutors allege the two discussed more favourable newspaper coverage for Netanyahu alongside possible measures that could weaken rival publication Israel Hayom.
The most serious indictment is Case 4000. Prosecutors accuse Netanyahu of advancing regulatory decisions benefiting telecommunications company Bezeq while seeking favourable treatment from the Walla news website, then owned by Bezeq controlling shareholder Shaul Elovitch.
Netanyahu faces fraud and breach-of-trust charges in all three cases and bribery in Case 4000. He denies the allegations and says the prosecution is politically motivated.
The bribery count, however, has faced difficulties. In June, the judges again suggested that prosecutors withdraw it because they believe it may be difficult to prove. Even if prosecutors eventually do so, Netanyahu would remain on trial for fraud and breach of trust across all three cases.
Ninety-eight hearings on the witness stand
Netanyahu began testifying in December 2024.
His evidence, cross-examination and subsequent questioning eventually stretched across 98 hearings over 18 months, repeatedly interrupted by overseas travel, health issues and requests to leave or cancel proceedings because of diplomatic and security matters.
He completed his testimony on June 24, but the trial itself did not end. Further witnesses remain to be heard.
Netanyahu has also sought another route out of the proceedings.
In November 2025, he asked Israeli President Isaac Herzog for a pardon while the trial was still ongoing, without admitting guilt. Herzog said in April that possibilities for reaching a legal agreement should be exhausted before he considered the request. There is no Israeli precedent for granting such a pardon before a criminal trial has concluded.
Winning the election would not automatically cancel the prosecution. Israeli law has nevertheless allowed Netanyahu to remain prime minister while standing trial, leaving political power and criminal proceedings running in parallel.
Sara Netanyahu: conviction and a new investigation
Sara Netanyahu’s 2019 case ended differently.
