Daijiworld Media Network – Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv, Jan 13: The corruption trial of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu resumed on Tuesday at the Tel Aviv District Court, marking the 71st day of testimony in the high-profile proceedings.

Cross-examination in Case 4000, widely known as the Bezeq-Walla affair and considered the most serious among the three cases against Netanyahu, was continued by prosecutor Yehudit Tirosh. The prime minister faces charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, all of which he has consistently denied.

According to the prosecution, Case 4000 centres on allegations that Netanyahu provided regulatory benefits worth hundreds of millions of shekels to telecom giant Bezeq, which was then controlled by Shaul and Iris Elovitch. In return, it is alleged that Netanyahu received favourable and tailored coverage on the Walla news website.

The indictment claims that Netanyahu, along with members of his family and with his knowledge, conveyed specific demands regarding news coverage related to him and his political rivals. These demands were allegedly passed through Walla’s editorial hierarchy to influence reporting.

At the start of the hearing, defence counsel Amit Hadad informed the court that Wednesday’s proceedings would need to be shortened.

The trial continues amid intense public and political scrutiny, with Case 4000 seen as a crucial test of the prosecution’s claims against the sitting prime minister.