From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Netanyahu testifies he wanted Adelson to ‘diversify’ Israel’s media landscape
Jeremy Sharon is The Times of Israel’s legal affairs and settlements reporter
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says during testimony in his corruption trial that he encouraged US businessman Sheldon Adelson to invest in the Israeli media market in order to “diversify” the news coverage.
“I remember in general that I sought to set in motion, with anyone I could, the diversification of the media in Israel,” the Walla News website reports Netanyahu as saying.
Adelson ended up investing in the Israel Hayom free sheet, which was derided for years as a mouthpiece for Netanyahu that was rarely critical of the premier. However, Netanyahu says he encouraged the casino tycoon to invest in a news website, since he believed printed newspapers to be a thing of the past.
Netanyahu is being questioned today by an attorney for Arnon Mozes, the publisher of the Yedioth Ahronoth tabloid, which saw its market share shrink significantly with the arrival of Israel Hayom.
Mozes was indicted alongside Netanyahu in Case 2000 for allegedly trying to come to an illicit quid pro quo agreement with the prime minister whereby Yedioth would reduce its criticism of Netanyahu, and Netanyahu would in turn advance legislation in Knesset to limit Israel Hayom’s distribution.
During the hearing, judges also reject Netanyahu’s request to end tomorrow’s hearing early due to commitments in Knesset.
They insist that the primary questioning must finish this week so that cross-examination can begin as soon as possible, and suggest extending today’s hearing.
The Times of Israel Community.