Netanyahu retakes stand in graft case, denies meddling in ‘marginal’ Walla news site

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu begins the third day of his testimony in his criminal trial in the Tel Aviv District Court, and his defense attorney picks up where he left off last week, asking Netanyahu about his involvement, or lack thereof, in efforts to influence the Walla news website’s political coverage, which is central to Case 4000.

The case, the most serious against Netanyahu, revolves around allegations that he accepted bribes in the form of positive new coverage from Walla owner Shaul Elovitch, and in return advanced regulatory decisions which benefited Elovitch to the tune of NIS 1.8 billion.

Netanyahu insists that all the requests made by his wife’s friend Zeev Rubinstein to Walla CEO Ilan Yeshua to change the site’s coverage for the benefit of Netanyahu either came via Rubinstein’s own initiative or after consulting with his wife Sara, which Netanyahu assesses could have been out of a desire by Rubinstein to please Sara.

The prime minister also insists that he had no reason to convey such messages through Rubinstein, saying he could have either called Elovitch directly or reached out to Walla through his spokesperson’s staff.

“The last thing I have time to deal with during an election campaign is Rubinstein regarding a marginal website which was anyway hostile [toward me],” says the prime minister.

Netanyahu also claims he wasn’t aware of his wife Sara’s dealings with Rubinstein.

“It wasn’t with my knowledge. I don’t remember having any conversations with him about media coverage,” says the prime minister.

Netanyahu sounds like he has a slight cold and asks for a cup of tea, while his defense attorney requests that the temperature in the courtroom be raised.

Netanyahu is set to testify until 4 p.m., and is scheduled to return to the stand on Tuesday and Wednesday as well.