Contrary to all the hype, Ilan Yeshua’s testimony did not, in fact, directly implicate Netanyahu
On Monday last week, Israel registered a moment of split-screen drama as Bibi Netanyahu appeared in court for the evidentiary phase of his trial for the so-called Case 4000, even as the country teetered on the edge of fifth elections.
After countless postponements and interim decisions, Ilan Yeshua, former CEO of the Walla news site, took the witness stand at the Jerusalem district court and testified that the site became a tool in the hands of its owners — Shaul and Iris Elovitch — to curry favor with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. After only a few days, the defense’s strategy became clear: stalling Yeshua’s testimony with a series of objections, mainly about the way the prosecution had prepared him for his appearance in court.
Room 315, where the trial is being held, was redesigned for the trial, combining two courtrooms into one. Entry is nevertheless restricted due to coronavirus guidelines. Journalists watched on the first floor through live broadcasts, and only two per day — agreed upon by rotation — can be physically present in court.
Netanyahu was required to be present only for the trial’s opening. Only a few days had passed since the election, and the president had not yet decided whom to task with the formation of the next government — but for the judges, this had no bearing on the legal proceedings.
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