Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to take the witness stand for the first time on Tuesday in an ongoing case over allegations of fraud and corruption in Israel.
The trial comes as Netanyahu's government controls several conflicts with Iran and its terrorist proxies, and as former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime falls this weekend.
The corruption trial began in 2020, with prosecutors accusing Netanyahu of making backroom deals with media moguls to exchange positive press coverage and regulatory favors.
Approximately 140 witnesses have taken the stage so far at the trial, fewer than the 300 originally planned. Witnesses include celebrities such as a former prime minister, a former security chief and media personalities.
'Cheers for terrorism': Twitch star dismisses new 9/11 calls, October 7th horrors
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a press conference in Jerusalem. (Ohad Zwigenberg/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
Police have already interviewed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife multiple times regarding the charges, but Tuesday will be his first time on the stand.
His testimony is expected to take several weeks, an arduous process in which he will testify three days a week for hours at a time. The defense has repeatedly asked for the prime minister's testimony to be postponed, but their efforts have been unsuccessful.
ICC rejects Israel's appeal, issues arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant
Critics have accused Netanyahu of provoking and even escalating the conflict between Israel and Hamas in order to delay the legal process. Prosecutors halted the case in July, but a verdict is not expected until 2026, at which point either side could appeal to the Supreme Court.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with Israeli Defense Forces commanders in Gaza's Netzarim Corridor to discuss Hamas activities. (Photo provided by: TPS)
But support is growing in the International Criminal Court case against Netanyahu, as American politicians have rallied to his defense amid accusations of war crimes. The Pentagon also said it “fundamentally rejects” the ICC's decision to issue arrest warrants for Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Israeli authorities praise Stefanik as unelected candidate, say her 'moral clarity' will combat 'hatred and lies' in her body
Sabrina Singh, deputy Pentagon spokeswoman, told reporters in November that “we remain concerned about the speed with which prosecutors sought arrest warrants and, as you know, some of the procedures that have been followed.'' “I'm doing it,” he told reporters. “Once again, we are clear that the ICC has no jurisdiction over this matter.”
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania) defended Prime Minister Netanyahu against war crimes charges from the International Criminal Court. (Left: Andrew Harnik/Getty Image; Right: JACQUELYN MARTIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Several Senate leaders said they supported sanctions against the ICC after it issued an arrest warrant.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
