Abderaouf Arnaout
17 January 2025•Update: 17 January 2025
JERUSALEM
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has avoided appearing in court for his corruption trial citing health concerns for the third consecutive week.
Netanyahu was scheduled to return to court Monday but requested a postponement from the Central District Court in Tel Aviv on Friday, which the court and the prosecution accepted.
In late December, Netanyahu underwent prostate surgery, prompting him to request a two-week delay in his court appearance. He now seeks a third consecutive delay, citing ongoing health issues related to his surgery.
According to Israel’s Public Broadcasting Corporation, Netanyahu addressed the court on Friday morning, requesting another medical postponement for the upcoming week.
In a statement from Netanyahu's office, the request explained that due to his surgery and subsequent developments, the prime minister requires another week of rest.
The statement also highlighted the exceptional circumstances Netanyahu has been dealing with, stating that recent events in the country have led him to act contrary to medical advice.
The court accepted Netanyahu's request and rescheduled his next hearing for Jan. 27.
Netanyahu's trial resumed in December, with his initial hearings taking place on Dec. 11 and 12, followed by others on Dec. 16 and 18.
Netanyahu faces charges of corruption, bribery, and breach of trust in three high-profile cases.
In November 2019, former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit filed an indictment against Netanyahu.
Netanyahu’s trial began in 2020 and continues to this day. He denies all charges, calling them a "political campaign aimed at overthrowing him."
Netanyahu also faces charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, with the International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing arrest warrants for him and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November over atrocities in Gaza, where nearly 46,800 people, mostly women and children, have been killed.
*Writing by Ikram Kouachi in Ankara
