Levin says he’ll back bill that would let defense minister cap number of Netanyahu trial hearings in wartime

Justice Minister Yariv Levin announces he will support a highly controversial bill that would enable the defense minister to reduce or limit the number of hearings for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s trial. He also said that the premier should never have been put on trial in the first place.

Levin makes his comments after Netanyahu’s trial on corruption charges resumed this morning in the Tel Aviv District Court, where several Likud ministers and MKs arrived in a coordinated show of support for the prime minister.

The bill, drafted by hardline Likud MK Ariel Kallner but yet to be submitted to the Knesset, would enable the defense minister to reduce or limit the number of hearings in a criminal trial during a time of war, should such a step be deemed necessary for security purposes and after consultation with the justice minister.

“This morning, instead of continuing the difficult struggle to [secure the] return of all the slain hostages, to disarm Hamas, and to expand the circle of peace, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was forced to appear in court and answer bizarre questions about dolls and cigars,” says Levin, referencing some of the allegations against Netanyahu, who faces charges of taking a bribe, along with fraud and breach of trust.

Levin says he will bring Kallner’s bill for approval in the key Ministerial Committee for Legislation as soon as it is submitted to the Knesset.

Left-wing Democrats MK Gilad Kariv blasts Levin’s announcement, saying it demonstrates the government’s return to its judicial overhaul agenda and the coalition’s determination to abolish Netanyahu’s trial.

“The citizens of Israel will not let the government of negligence continue its destruction and devastation. We will know how to stand up in the streets and in Knesset committees with the same strength as we have done until now,” he says.