From the Liveblog of
Monday, November 25, 2024
High Court orders PM to respond to petition demanding he recuse himself while testifying in trial next month
Jeremy Sharon is The Times of Israel’s legal affairs and settlements reporter
The High Court of Justice orders Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara to respond to a petition requesting that Netanyahu be ordered to recuse himself from office while he gives testimony in his criminal trial by December 1, the day before his testimony is scheduled to begin.
The petition seeks to have Netanyahu recuse himself from office for the duration of his testimony in court, which is expected to last several weeks. He will likely need to testify four days a week, unless other arrangements are approved.
Netanyahu’s legal team on Sunday asked the court to delay the beginning of his testimony by 15 days until December 17, with his defense lawyers asserting that they and the prime minister need more time to complete preparations for his testimony.
The State Attorney’s Office has yet to issue its position on this request.
