Court agrees to nix Netanyahu testimony this week over ‘urgent diplomatic meetings’

Premier’s lawyers privately share details on sensitive meetings in coming days, say PM can’t testify later this week either, due to visit by Vance, swearing-in of new Shin Bet head

By Jeremy Sharon

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19 October 2025, 10:39 pm

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Jeremy Sharon is The Times of Israel’s legal affairs and settlements reporter

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (C) arrives at the Tel Aviv District Court to testify in the ongoing criminal trial against him, on October 15, 2025. (Reuven Kastro/ POOL)

The Jerusalem District Court on Sunday canceled hearings for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s testimony in his criminal trial to be held Monday and Tuesday, due to “urgent diplomatic meetings” that Netanyahu said he needed to attend on those days.

In a letter to the court, Netanyahu’s lawyers said the meetings could not be postponed, and provided further details in a confidential note to the court.

The prime minister’s lawyers added that Netanyahu would not be able to testify on Wednesday or Thursday either, because of an upcoming visit by US Vice President JD Vance, and because of the formal swearing-in ceremony for new Shin Bet chief David Zini.

The premier’s testimony was also shortened last Wednesday, when he complained of a cough and a cold.

That same day, Justice Minister Yariv Levin backed a controversial bill that would allow the defense minister to reduce the number of hearings in the trial. Ministers and lawmakers also attended Netanyahu’s trial that day in a public show of support for the prime minister.

The trial has been going on since 2020, and Netanyahu has been testifying twice a week since December 2024, though many of these hearings have been canceled or cut short for various reasons related to the premier’s responsibilities or to his fatigue and illnesses.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the District Court in Tel Aviv, to testify in the ongoing criminal trial against him, on October 15, 2025. (Reuven Kastro/POOL)

Starting next month, he is expected to testify three times a week.

Netanyahu is on trial in three corruption cases. He faces charges of fraud and breach of trust in Case 1000 and Case 2000, and charges of bribery, as well as fraud and breach of trust, in Case 4000.

The premier denies any wrongdoing and says all the charges were fabricated in a political coup led by the police and state prosecution.

US President Donald Trump, speaking to the Knesset last week, called on President Isaac Herzog to pardon the prime minister, characterizing the allegations as a trifling matter of “cigars and champagne.”

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.