Netanyahu present in court as Elkin testifies in PM’s corruption trial

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a hearing in his corruption trial at the Jerusalem District Court in which Minister Ze’ev Elkin, a member of Netanyahu’s government, is testifying in Case 2000.

Netanyahu rarely attends court hearings other than when he gave testimony, and frequently requested that hearings for his testimony be cancelled due to tight time pressures on his schedule relating to ongoing conflicts Israel is involved in.

Elkin has been summoned to testify over his knowledge of conversations between Netanyahu and Yedioht Ahronoth newspaper publisher Arnon Mozes, since Elkin was a central figure in Netanyahu’s Likud party at the time and coalition whip.

Netanyahu is accused of fraud and breach of trust in Case 2000, over allegations he advanced legislation to weaken Yedioth’s main rival Israel Hayom in return for more favorable coverage in Yedioth.