Netanyahu Case 2000 defense hearing opens in Tel Aviv

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that none of the meetings he had with Mozes were ones he considered criminal.

He added that the conversations were also never presented to him by the police in their investigations.

“It’s a manner of speaking,” Netanyahu said in English, explaining that there was no criminal intent in the conversation, when he was shown in court a transcript of conversation between him and Mozes.

Asked how much he remembers the conversation, he said that he barely recalls it. The recordings of these transcripts are the bedrock of the indictment in this case.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he feared the coalition was on “the brink of a coalition collapse” in 2014. 

“I was looking to pass a bill that would allow Israel Hayom to continue existing, but in a more balanced competition,” said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The bill in question never advanced.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's lawyer Amit Hadad pointed to a series of articles from 2014, showing to a political alliance that took place then between Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid and former politician Tzipi Livni. The headline read, “Netanyahu is sucking up to the ultra-Orthodox (haredim),” in an effort to pull together a bloc of 25 Knesset seats.

Netanyahu said that at the time, as prime minister, he had hoped this would not succeed. This article undercuts the claim of positive coverage that the prosecution alleged, as it dedicated a two-page spread to Netanyahu’s opponents.

The criminal trial testimony hearings of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began in the Tel Aviv District Court on Wednesday. 

The defense questioning on Case 2000, or the “Netanyahu-Mozes Affair,” is due to finish today. Throughout the next two weeks, several other defense testimonies will take place, followed by the prosecution’s cross-examination. 

In Case 2000, Netanyahu is on trial for his relationship with the owner of Yediot Ahronot, Arnon “Noni” Mozes. Allegedly, Mozes offered Netanyahu better coverage for himself and his family in the publication, along with opposite coverage for his political opponents. In exchange, Netanyahu allegedly used his position of power to advance legislation that would levy restrictions on competitor Israel Hayom, owned by the family of the late Sheldon Adelson. 

Netanyahu was indicted by the prosecution for fraud and breach of trust, while Mozes was indicted for offering a bribe.