Israel Resumes Netanyahu Corruption Trial After Lifting War Emergency
Key Takeaways
- Trial resumes Sunday in Jerusalem District Court after state of emergency lifted.
- Pause occurred due to war-related state of emergency; lifting enabled judiciary resumption.
- Hearings resume as judiciary returns to work.
Trial Resumes
Netanyahu's corruption trial is set to resume on Sunday after Israel lifted the state of emergency.
“Arab Canada News – for the Arab community and the Arab diaspora in Canada”
The emergency had led to the closure of schools and workplaces and curtailed regular court proceedings.
Netanyahu is the first sitting Israeli prime minister to face criminal charges.
The trial began in 2020 but has faced significant delays due to his official responsibilities and the various conflicts.
Trump has urged Israeli President Isaac Herzog to grant a pardon, though pardons are not usually given mid-trial.
Charges and Context
Netanyahu faces charges in three cases involving media coverage and luxury gifts.
The trial is centered mainly on Case 4000, the Bezeq-Walla affair.
Netanyahu began testifying in December 2024, becoming the first sitting prime minister to take the stand.
The charges, along with the war in Gaza, have damaged his standing.
His coalition is likely to lose in the October elections.
Pardon Pressure
Trump has urged Israeli President Herzog to grant Netanyahu a pardon.
“Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's long-running corruption trial will resume on Sunday, the court confirmed on Thursday, after emergency restrictions imposed over Israel's war on Iran were lifted”
Pardons are not usually given mid-trial.
Netanyahu requested a pardon in November 2025.
The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against Netanyahu in November 2024.
The trial restart comes as the split within Israel over the pardon request continues.
War and Politics
The trial restart comes amid ongoing regional instability.
Israel and the United States launched air strikes on Iran on Feb. 28.
A two-week cease-fire was announced on March 4.
Extensive Israeli attacks on Lebanon have since jeopardized the truce.
The trial remains deeply entangled with the broader question of whether a sitting prime minister can govern while defending himself.
More on Gaza Genocide
Netanyahu Approves Direct Peace Talks With Lebanon While Continuing Strikes On Hezbollah
106 sources compared
Netanyahu Announces Direct Talks With Lebanon While Continuing Strikes On Hezbollah
32 sources compared
Israel Reopens Al-Aqsa Mosque After 40-Day Closure Amid Settler Incursions
18 sources compared
Israel Bombs Lebanon Hours After US-Iran Ceasefire, Killing Over 250
14 sources compared