The scheduled hearings this week in the criminal trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have been canceled, the Courts Administration announced on Sunday, citing scheduling constraints stemming from the death of a close family member of one of the presiding judges.
According to the statement, after the mother of Judge Oded Shaham passed away, all of his hearings have been canceled through Sunday in accordance with customary bereavement leave. The Jerusalem District Court panel hearing Netanyahu’s case includes Shaham alongside Judges Rivka Friedman-Feldman and Moshe Bar-Am.
The cancellation follows a week in which no hearings were held, due to Netanyahu’s official visit to the United States, where he met with President Donald Trump. The discussions reportedly focused heavily on Iran’s regional activity and nuclear program, as well as broader security coordination between Jerusalem and Washington, against the backdrop of ongoing tensions with Tehran and its proxies.
Netanyahu indicted in cases 1000, 2000, 4000
Netanyahu was indicted in 2020 in three separate cases – Cases 1000, 2000, and 4000 – on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. He denies all wrongdoing and has repeatedly characterized the trial as politically motivated.
Case 4000 centers on allegations that Netanyahu advanced regulatory decisions benefiting telecommunications giant Bezeq in exchange for favorable coverage from the Walla news site. The charge of bribery appears only in this case.
The trial is currently in the cross-examination phase in Case 4000, following years of evidentiary proceedings and witness testimony presented by the prosecution. Proceedings in Case 2000 – which deals with alleged negotiations between Netanyahu and Yediot Aharonot publisher Arnon “Noni” Mozes over favorable coverage in exchange for legislation weakening a rival newspaper – are expected to follow.
Case 1000 involves allegations that Netanyahu and his wife received expensive gifts from wealthy benefactors in exchange for assistance in various matters.
The trial, which began in May 2020 at the Jerusalem District Court, has been marked by multiple delays over the years due to procedural disputes, evidentiary complexities, public health restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, scheduling considerations tied to Netanyahu’s duties as prime minister, and security considerations.
With this week’s cancellation, the court is expected to resume hearings next week, subject to the panel’s availability.