Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned to the witness stand on Monday at the Tel Aviv District Court, offering testimony for a further day in his ongoing criminal trial and sharply criticizing the prosecution during a line of questioning focused on his relationship with former Bezeq-Walla owner Shaul Elovitch.
The hearing formed part of the prosecution’s cross-examination in the cases in which Netanyahu is charged with bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. Monday’s session centered on Case 4000, in which prosecutors allege a quid pro quo between Netanyahu and Elovitch, who at the time controlled telecommunications giant Bezeq and the Walla news website.
According to the indictment, Netanyahu advanced regulatory decisions worth hundreds of millions of shekels that benefited Bezeq, while Elovitch allegedly ensured favorable and tailored coverage of Netanyahu and his family on Walla. Netanyahu denies all charges.
During the hearing, state prosecutor Yehudit Tirosh questioned Netanyahu about a conversation held shortly before an official trip to Japan, suggesting that the discussion included matters related to media coverage and that Netanyahu sought Elovitch’s insights.
“You speak with him at the last minute before flying to Japan, and at the very least you also discuss coverage,” Tirosh said. “You needed Elovitch’s insights?”
Netanyahu responded by rejecting the framing and launching a pointed critique of the prosecution’s understanding of market dynamics. “What you see here is a typical and effective bureaucratic mindset,” he said in court. “If I had operated only that way, Israel would never have reached its massive economic turnaround.”
Elovitch described as someone with 'very deep and penetrating knowledge'
Turning directly to Tirosh, Netanyahu added that people operating in the market often possess deeper knowledge than government officials, saying, “It’s hard for you to understand because you’re part of the bureaucracy.”
He acknowledged consulting Elovitch on multiple occasions, not just once, describing him as someone with “very deep and penetrating knowledge,” while disputing any connection between those consultations and alleged regulatory benefits.
Despite previously stating that he could manage the trial alongside his duties as prime minister, Netanyahu has repeatedly requested reductions or cancellations of testimony days, citing state responsibilities. On Monday, he again sought to end the hearing early because of a Knesset session scheduled later that day.
Outside the courthouse, a small protest by demonstrators wearing orange jumpsuits was held during the proceedings.