From the Liveblog of
Monday, June 1, 2026
Judges incensed as Netanyahu asks to shorten trial session for Mossad ceremony
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJeremy Sharon is The Times of Israel’s legal affairs and settlements reporter
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked the judges of the Jerusalem District Court earlier to cancel the first hours of his testimony in his criminal trial tomorrow in order to attend the swearing-in ceremony of incoming Mossad chief Roman Gofman.
The judges chastised Netanyahu, saying they have repeatedly accepted the need to delay and cancel hearings for urgent security and diplomacy issues, but say they should not be doing so for ceremonies.
“When there are security issues, there’s nothing to be done. Ceremonies? With all due respect, either [the ceremony organizers] adjust themselves or we will continue as usual,” said Judge Rivka Friedman-Feldman, the head of the three-judge panel presiding over Netanyahu’s trial.
The judges have not yet made a final decision on the matter, however.
Netanyahu also asked for permission to attend the swearing-in ceremony for the new head of the Directorate of Security of the Defense Establishment during today’s lunch break at the court, which the judges agreed to.
The Times of Israel Community.