Israeli court rejects Netanyahu’s request for trial delay

The Jerusalem District Court has denied Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s request for a two-week pause in his ongoing corruption trial. The request, submitted through his lawyer on Thursday, sought a break to allow Netanyahu to address urgent diplomatic and security matters following the end of the conflict with Iran.

Judge Rivka Friedman-Feldman stated on Friday that the court found no sufficient grounds to justify the delay. “No detailed basis was presented to support the request,” she said, confirming the trial will proceed as scheduled.

The Jerusalem Attorney’s Office opposed the postponement, arguing that Netanyahu’s reasons did not warrant canceling hearings just before the summer recess. They also highlighted that Netanyahu has been granted accommodations, including reducing his weekly testimony from three to two sessions.

Netanyahu faces three separate charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust filed in 2019. The trial began in 2020.

In one case, Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, are accused of accepting luxury gifts worth over $260,000 from businessmen in exchange for political favors. The other two cases involve alleged attempts by Netanyahu to influence Israeli media outlets. Netanyahu denies all allegations.