Israel PM arrives in Jerusalem court as corruption trial resumes

Jerusalem, Feb 8 (efe-epa).- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived Monday at Jerusalem’s District Court as the corruption trial against him resumed.

A three-judge panel will hear the defendants’ response to the indictment, and set the date for the next evidentiary stage of the trial, expected to be held either before or after the March 23 elections.

This is the second time Netanyahu is appearing in court since the trial began in May, and may have to appear in court three times a week during the evidence phase.

Monday’s session was initially set for January, but was delayed due to a coronavirus lockdown.

Dozens of people demonstrated outside the court against the 71-year-old leader, calling him a “minister of crime.”

“We will not surrender until he resigns,” protesters chanted.

Netanyahu is the first prime minister in Israel’s history to face trial while in office.

The indictment accuses Netanyahu of bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three separate cases, charging him with accepting expensive gifts, and trying to improve media coverage of him in exchange for favors.

Netanyahu has denied all allegations. EFE-EPA

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