Indicted Israeli Incumbent Insists: ‘Innocent’

Jerusalem’s district courthouse, normally a quiet, rather forgotten building, was jampacked with hundreds of protesters, bodyguards, reporters, and one prime minister, as Israel’s premier Binyamin Netanyahu arrived for his second court appearance since his trial over charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust began last year. After hearing the indictment against him, Netanyahu pleaded not guilty, saying simply “I confirm the written answer submitted in my name,” referring to the document denying the charges filed earlier by his attorneys. After approximately 20 minutes, the prime minister left the courthouse with the judges’ permission. It remains to be seen how many times Netanyahu will be asked to appear before the court in the 40 days left till the general elections, as the trial advances into the witness testimony phase. The prime minister is accused of accepting lavish gifts and handing regulatory favors worth hundreds of millions of dollars to communications and media moguls in return for favorable news coverage in a number of outlets.