From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Netanyahu testimony briefly interrupted by note from military secretary
Jeremy Sharon is The Times of Israel’s legal affairs and settlements reporter
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s testimony in his criminal trial in the Tel Aviv District Court is halted briefly after he is handed a note from Military Secretary Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman, who arrived at the court to speak with the prime minister.
“I have to see him immediately, he doesn’t usually come here,” Netanyahu tells the judges, who grant him permission to leave the courtroom to speak with Gofman.
Following an approximately 20-minute break Netanyahu returns to the court.
Army Radio reports the interruption revolved around Druze leaders holding an emergency meeting following reports of renewed attacks by Syrian forces on the Druze city of Druze-majority city of Sweida.
The report says there are fears that Druze living in Israel may cross into Syria en-masse to try and help their brethren and start deserting the IDF.
Prosecutor Yonatan Tadmor is focusing today on the allegations in the indictment that Netanyahu tried to help billionaire Hollywood Arnon Milchan secure a long-term US visa.
Netanyahu and his wife Sarah received hundreds of thousands of shekels in luxury gifts from Milchan, and the indictment alleges that by providing the billionaire with assistance not available to other people the prime minister committed the crime of fraud and breach of trust.
The Times of Israel Community.