Netanyahu to attend Wednesday hearing for key witness’s opening testimony in trial

Former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been an infrequent attendee at his own criminal trial since it open nearly two years ago, will be in court on Wednesday when a key state’s witness begins his testimony, the premier’s attorney Boaz Ben Zur said Monday.

Shlomo Filber, once one of the closest officials to Netanyahu, is believed to be an essential part of the prosecution’s case against him in Case 4000, in which the now-opposition chairman is charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust.

Case 4000 is the most serious of the three cases against the former prime minister. Netanyahu is alleged to have advanced regulatory decisions as communications minister and prime minister that immensely benefited Walla owner Shaul Elovitch, who was also the controlling shareholder in Bezeq, the country’s largest telecommunications firm, despite opposition from Communication Ministry officials. In exchange, he allegedly was given what amounted to editorial control over Elovitch’s Walla site.

Filber led Netanyahu’s successful election campaign in 2015, when his Likud party won the most seats in the Knesset and led a solidly right-wing coalition that held for four years. Filber was subsequently appointed Communications Ministry director-general and oversaw the merger of Bezeq with the YES satellite company.

Filber testified to police of meetings he held with Netanyahu’s former aide Nir Hefetz during which the latter passed along messages on his boss’s behalf regarding Bezeq.

His testimony is seen as key to establishing the alleged illicit dealings Netanyahu had with Elovitch, and his efforts to influence policy to benefit the latter.

Netanyahu also faces charges of fraud and breach of trust in Case 1000 and in Case 2000. He denies wrongdoing and claims without evidence that the charges were fabricated in a political witch hunt led by the police and state prosecution.