Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared in court on Tuesday to testify for the first time in his long-running corruption trial.

Netanyahu attended the trial, along with his son Avner, as well as several ministers and Knesset members from Likud and coalition parties.

While the court rejected a media request to broadcast the trial live, Netanyahu for his part refused to sit in the defendants' seat and waited until the photographers left before the trial began, so as not to be photographed as a defendant alongside his defense lawyer.

One of the judges explained to the Prime Minister that he had the same privileges as other witnesses, that he could sit or stand as he pleased.

As he began his testimony, Netanyahu told the judges, "Hello... I have waited 8 years for this moment, to tell the truth."

According to the opinion submitted by the General Security Service (Shabak) to the court, and for security reasons, the trial sessions are being held in an underground room in Tel Aviv, not in Jerusalem, and in a fortified hall that is usually used to try major criminals, because it has security specifications that are not found in other courts.

Support Ministers

Several ministers arrived at the courtroom to support Netanyahu, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, and Transportation Minister Miri Regev, who said in press statements, "It is shameful that the prime minister is asked to testify while he is waging one of the most complex wars in the State of Israel."

Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Yariv Levin said, "It is difficult not to feel a strong sense of injustice this morning in light of the proceedings that have been going on for years against the prime minister and the insistence on holding them precisely at these days when so much is on his shoulders."

As for the extremist Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, he issued a statement condemning the government’s attorney general, Gali Baharav-Miara, and said that he would present the government with a draft resolution to remove her from her position.

demonstrations

Outside the courthouse, anti-Netanyahu protesters and supporters chanted, "Netanyahu, the people support you." Opponents who have been demonstrating against him for months chanted, "Netanyahu to prison," "Everyone is alive," "We will not forget and we will not forgive," and "Bribery, fraud, and breach of trust."

Clashes erupted between the families of the kidnapped and Netanyahu supporters, while a reinforced police force of about 200 police officers was stationed at the site to maintain public order and ensure the safety of all those present.

"This is a sad day for Israel," said one of the families of the kidnapped who demonstrated outside the court. "While we demand the return of our loved ones to their homes, he is dealing with himself and his trial. Where are the values? Where is the responsibility of leadership?"

Another protester added: “He is using his position to avoid obeying the law like any other citizen. No one facing a criminal trial can continue to lead the country.”

For the first time

This is the first time a sitting Israeli prime minister has testified in his own criminal trial, unlike former prime minister Ehud Olmert, who was tried on criminal charges and chose to resign from office.

The trial is expected to last at least two months, during which Netanyahu is expected to testify three times a week, from 10:00 to 16:00, except in exceptional cases that the court will decide at the time.

In the legal phase known as the “defense case,” Netanyahu will present his speeches and arguments that will focus on his career, from his days as a young politician to his many years leading the country. Netanyahu is also expected to present his political, security and economic achievements and to talk about his diplomatic achievements on the international stage.

After that, Netanyahu's questioning will begin in a preliminary examination. It is worth noting that the indictment against Netanyahu includes 3 cases related to bribery and accepting gifts illegally.

Netanyahu, the first sitting prime minister to face criminal trial, has tried several times to postpone the trial.

Netanyahu had defended his attempts to postpone the trial yesterday, Monday, in press statements in which he said, "They say that I want to evade the trial... This is nonsense... I have been waiting for this day for 8 years. I have waited 8 years for the accusations against me to be refuted."

"I have destroyed the lives of dozens of people around me in order to turn them into witnesses against me through intimidation, threats, falsification of protocols, concealment of evidence, leaks and brainwashing of the public," he added.