Netanyahu Resumes Testimony in Corruption Trial as Security Concerns Subside

PM Netanyahu returns to court to testify in Case 4000 following a two-month pause caused by the Iran war and a rejected pardon request.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 28, 2026, 4:04 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Haaretz and The Times of Israel

The End of a Conflict Driven Hiatus

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reappeared in court on Tuesday, marking the formal end of a two-month suspension of legal proceedings triggered by the outbreak of war with Iran on February 28. The trial, which has loomed over the Israeli political landscape for years, was initially scheduled to restart on Monday. However, a last-minute security petition filed by defense attorney Amit Hadad led to a 24-hour delay. Hadad argued that the logistical and security arrangements required for the Prime Minister's presence in a public courtroom necessitated further refinement given the current national security climate.

Closing Arguments in the Elovitch Affair

The current phase of the trial focuses on the final cross-examination sessions for Case 4000, the most serious of the three indictments facing the premier. Netanyahu has testified 80 times to date, defending himself against allegations that he promoted regulatory changes worth hundreds of millions of shekels to benefit Shaul Elovitch, the former controlling shareholder of the Bezeq telecommunications group. Prosecutors allege that in exchange for these favorable decisions, Netanyahu received positive media coverage on the Walla news site, which was owned by Elovitch at the time.

Transitioning to the Mozes Investigation

As the cross-examination for Case 4000 draws to a close, the court is preparing to transition to Case 2000. This second investigation centers on an alleged quid pro quo arrangement between Netanyahu and Arnon Mozes, the publisher of the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper. According to assessments cited by the Haaretz daily, the prosecution believes Netanyahu will require four to eight additional sessions to address these specific claims. The case involves recorded conversations in which the two reportedly discussed weakening a rival newspaper in exchange for more favorable coverage of the Prime Minister.