The defense team of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu requested on Sunday, in coordination with the prosecution, to cancel the remainder of the defense witness testimonies in the prime minister's criminal trial for this week. Jerusalem District Court Judges Rivka Friedman-Feldman, Moshe Bar-Am, and Oded Shaham initially denied the request, but then approved it after a follow-up by the defense team.
Netanyahu's hearings have been taking place on a twice-a-week basis due to the dire security situation and the wars Israel is fighting on several fronts. Indicted in 2020, Netanyahu has pleaded not guilty to all three Cases - 1000, 2000, and 4000 - levied against him.
The prime minister's testimonies were canceled this week due to his diplomatic visit to the US, but simultaneously to his testimony, the judges have been hearing testimonies, once a week, from other witnesses the defense chose to present. These are the hearings in question that the defense asked be canceled.
Reason for the cancellation request
The reason given was a physical injury sustained by lead defense attorney Amit Hadad, for which he will need several days' rest. The judges wrote in their decision that there are other capable lawyers on Hadad’s team who could handle the questioning and that there is no justification to cancel due to the injury. After another, more expansive request from Hadad’s team, the judges approved to cancel the remaining hearings.
Currently testifying for the defense in Jerusalem is Likud MK Moshe Saada.
Netanyahu's testimonies were moved months ago to the more secure Tel Aviv District Court due to safety concerns.
The trial is currently in cross-examination, where it is estimated to remain for at least a year before a verdict can be handed down.