Netanyahu takes stand in his corruption trial, calls charges ‘absurd’
Global News
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised defiantly on Tuesday to knock down corruption allegations against him as he began testifying in his long-running trial.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised defiantly on Tuesday to knock down corruption allegations against him as he began testifying in his long-running trial, becoming the first sitting Israeli leader to take the stand as a criminal defendant.
The testimony is another low point for Israel’s longest-serving leader, who also faces an international arrest warrant for alleged war crimes in Israel’s war in Gaza.
In his opening testimony in a packed Tel Aviv courtroom, Netanyahu argued that he was a dedicated leader and a defender of Israel’s interests, swatting away the charges against him as a “drop in the sea” compared to the challenges he has faced protecting his country.
But the charges have torn open divisions in Israel and complicated Netanyahu’s legacy, which has also been tainted by the conflict in Gaza and the growing international isolation Israel faces because of it.
Speaking freely and appearing at ease, Netanyahu said he could balance appearing at his trial with his duties as prime minister at a time when Israel is still fighting a conflict in Gaza and contending with the fall of Bashar Assad in neighboring Syria.
“I waited eight years for this moment, to say the truth,” Netanyahu said, standing at a podium, with his son Avner and several members of his Likud party seated on the courtroom benches. He said his testimony would “poke holes in the absurd accusations.”
Netanyahu will answer during his court appearances to charges of fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three separate cases.
He is accused of accepting tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of cigars and champagne from a billionaire Hollywood producer in exchange for assistance with personal and business interests. He is also accused of promoting advantageous regulations for media moguls in exchange for favorable coverage of himself and his family.
The leader of President Yoon Suk Yeol's party stressed the need to suspend Yoon’s presidential duties and power swiftly, saying he poses a 'significant risk of extreme actions.'
Bird flu has infected more than 500 dairy herds in top milk state California, and more than 700 nationwide since March, raising concerns of the impact to the milk supply.
The WHO experts are on their way to Panzi, in the southwestern Kwango province, where they'll deliver essential medicines and diagnostic kits to help analyse the cause.
Three mountain climbers — two from the U.S. and one from Canada — missing for five days on Aoraki, New Zealand’s tallest peak, are believed to have died in a fall.
Macron came out fighting a day after a historic no-confidence vote prompted by budget disputes at the National Assembly left France without a functioning government.
Svetlana Dali was able to get through an advanced imaging technology body scanner at JFK Airport, and dodge document and ID checks during the security process.
Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said the policy will respond to the growing global threat environment, and Canada's responsibility to protect its own Arctic sovereignty
NASA's plans to orbit the moon and to eventually conduct another landing mission have been delayed again due to issues with the Orion crew capsule.
President Emmanuel Macron insisted he will serve the rest of his term until 2027 despite growing opposition calls for his departure amid the turmoil.
A flu-like disease that has killed dozens of people over two weeks is being investigated in southwestern Congo, local authorities said.
South Korea’s opposition parties Wednesday submitted a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over a shocking and short-lived martial law.