Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu appears in court for the first time.

Reuters reported that on December 10, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared in court in Tel Aviv, marking his first court appearance related to corruption charges.

"I have waited eight years for this opportunity to speak the truth," Netanyahu told the judges in court. "Although I am also the Prime Minister, leading the country in a war on seven fronts, I think these two things can be done simultaneously."

Netanyahu smiled confidently as he entered the Tel Aviv District Court. The trial, moved from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv for undisclosed security reasons, was taking place in an underground courtroom, a 15-minute walk from Israel's defense headquarters.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu enters the district court in Tel Aviv to begin a hearing on corruption charges, December 10. (Photo: Reuters)

Netanyahu, 75, is the first sitting Israeli prime minister to be impeached. He is the country's longest-serving leader, having held power almost continuously since 2009.

Before Prime Minister Netanyahu appeared in court, his defense lawyer, Amit Hadad, presented to the judges what the defense argued were fundamental flaws in the investigation.

Outside the courthouse, several dozen protesters gathered, some supportive, others demanding that he do more to negotiate the release of the approximately 100 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza.

Israel has been conducting a military campaign in Gaza against Hamas forces for over a year. During this time, Netanyahu's trial was postponed. However, on December 5th, the judges ordered him to appear in court.

The court said that, facing bribery and fraud charges, Netanyahu would have to appear in court three times a week, despite the conflict in Gaza and potential new threats stemming from the widening instability in the Middle East, including neighboring Syria.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu was indicted in 2019 in three separate cases involving gifts from millionaire friends and allegations of favoritism toward media moguls to secure favorable media coverage. Netanyahu denies all charges.

The Israeli Prime Minister's domestic legal troubles worsened last month when the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for him and former defense minister Yoav Gallant, along with a Hamas leader, on charges of war crimes in the Gaza conflict.

Flower Dance (Source: Reuters)

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/thu-tuong-israel-netanyahu-lan-dau-hau-toa-ar912774.html