Netanyahu's corruption trial resumes in Israel after 3-month hiatus

The trial of former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on corruption charges resumed in Jerusalem (Al-Quds) on Monday after a 3-month hiatus.

The session is the first to be held since Netanyahu became the leader of the opposition, and the fifth since the legal adviser to the government, Avichai Mandelblit, presented an indictment against him in January 2020, that included accusations of bribery, fraud and breach of trust.

"Benjamin Netanyahu's trial resumed this morning (Monday) in the Jerusalem District Court," and it was held without his presence, Israeli channel 13 reported.

Netanyahu's first and second trial sessions were held in May and July of 2020. His third and fourth sessions were held in April and June of this year.

Netanyahu is accused of using his position in order to illicitly benefit the business interests of Shaul Elovitch, the controlling shareholder of the telecom company Bezeq.

In exchange, Elovitch allegedly provided Netanyahu and his family with positive coverage on the Elovitch-owned Walla news website, including allowing the then-prime minister’s associates and family members to dictate editorial content and policy on a regular basis.

The three-month break in the trial came following requests by prosecutors for more time to submit all the necessary materials.