The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation reported that the Tel Aviv District Court began hearing Netanyahu's testimony on the cases in which he is charged. The corporation added, "The prime minister did not request that today's session be canceled, but initially requested that the hearing be significantly shortened to a few hours."
The court's judges agreed to adjourn the session at 11:30 a.m. Israel time (9:30 a.m. GMT), the panel said. While the panel clarified the reason for Netanyahu's request and agreed to it, it comes as Hamas is expected to release Israeli soldier Idan Alexander, who holds American citizenship, on Monday as part of a deal with the United States.
Netanyahu's interrogation sessions began in January. He faces charges of corruption, bribery, and breach of trust in what are known as Cases 1000, 2000, and 4000. Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit filed the indictment in late November 2019.
"Case 1000" concerns Netanyahu and members of his family receiving expensive gifts from wealthy businessmen in exchange for various benefits and assistance. "Case 2000" concerns Netanyahu's alleged negotiation with Arnon Mozes, publisher of the privately owned Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, to secure positive media coverage.
Case 4000 concerns alleged facilitation of favors offered to the former owner of the Israeli Walla news website, Shaul Elovitch, who was also an executive at the Bezeq telecommunications company, in exchange for positive media coverage.
Netanyahu's trial in these cases began in 2020 and is still ongoing. He denies the charges, claiming they are a "political campaign aimed at ousting him."