Netanyahu: Conversations with newspaper publisher about restricting its rival were not criminal

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists his conversations with Yedioth Ahronoth publisher Arnon Mozes about improving the newspaper’s coverage of him and his family in return for restricting the distribution of rival publication Israel Hayom was not criminal, during testimony in Netanyahu’s criminal trial.

“These were conversations that exist with all publishers. His newspaper supported my rivals,” Netanyahu says regarding Case 2000 in the Tel Aviv District Court, Ynet reports.

Netanyahu denies that he was being offered a bribe with the proposal, and accuses the prosecutors of “inventing” accusations.

“This is part of the connection between journalism and politics, it happens all the time, [but] there’s an indictment only against me, part of this insane construction done against me,” Netanyahu continues in further attacks on the prosecutors.

In Case 2000, Netanyahu is accused of fraud and breach of trust over his alleged attempt to reach a quid pro quo agreement with Mozes whereby Yedioth would give the prime minister more positive media coverage in exchange for legislation weakening its key rival, the Israel Hayom free sheet.