Netanyahu Back in Court on Corruption Charges

Published February 8th, 2021 - 08:19 GMT

PM Benjamin Netanyahu is back in court to formally respond to corruption charges, as his trial enters an intensified phase.
 
Netanyahu, the first Israeli premier to be indicted in office, was charged last year over allegations that he accepted improper gifts. The combative PM, who has blasted the charges.

At the hearing, Netanyahu is compelled to deliver the defendant's formal response to the allegations. This marks the last pre-trial hearing with upcoming sessions focused on testimony and evidence.

The charges against Netanyahu are divided into three separate cases. The most serious in which the premier is accused of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. 

Weekly protests against him have rumbled on for months, with demonstrators focusing on the graft allegations.

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A demonstrator wearing a mask representing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures during a demonstration outside the court, as his corruption trial resumes in occupied east Jerusalem, on February 8, 2021. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to court to formally respond to the corruption charges against him, as his trial enters an intensified phase six weeks before he faces re-election. EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP

In this file photo taken on July 21, 2020, Israelis protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to court on February 8, 2021 to formally respond to the corruption charges filed against him, as his trial enters an intensified phase six weeks before he faces re-election. MENAHEM KAHANA / AFP

In this file photo taken on July 21, 2020, Israelis protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to court on February 8, 2021 to formally respond to the corruption charges filed against him, as his trial enters an intensified phase six weeks before he faces re-election. Menahem KAHANA / AFP

In this file photo taken on August 11, 2018, silhouettes of demonstrator are seen through a giant poster depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Arab Israelis and their supporters march in a rally to protest against the 'Jewish Nation-State Law' in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to court on February 8, 2021 to formally respond to the corruption charges filed against him, as his trial enters an intensified phase six weeks before he faces re-election. Ahmad GHARABLI / AFP

A demonstrator wearing a mask representing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures during a demonstration outside the court, as his corruption trial resumes in occupied east Jerusalem, on February 8, 2021. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to court to formally respond to the corruption charges against him, as his trial enters an intensified phase six weeks before he faces re-election. EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks on ahead of a hearing in his corruption trial at the Jerusalem district court, on February 8, 2021. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to court to formally respond to the corruption charges against him, as his trial enters an intensified phase six weeks before he faces re-election. POOL / AFP

Israelis demonstrate outside the court as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial resumes in occupied east Jerusalem, on February 8, 2021. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to court to formally respond to the corruption charges against him, as his trial enters an intensified phase six weeks before he faces re-election. Ahmad GHARABLI / AFP

Israelis demonstrate outside the court as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial resumes in occupied east Jerusalem, on February 8, 2021. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to court to formally respond to the corruption charges against him, as his trial enters an intensified phase six weeks before he faces re-election. EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP

Israelis demonstrate outside the court as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial resumes in occupied east Jerusalem, on February 8, 2021. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to court to formally respond to the corruption charges against him, as his trial enters an intensified phase six weeks before he faces re-election. EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP

A demonstrator wearing a mask representing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures during a demonstration outside the court, as his corruption trial resumes in occupied east Jerusalem, on February 8, 2021. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to court to formally respond to the corruption charges against him, as his trial enters an intensified phase six weeks before he faces re-election. EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP
In this file photo taken on July 21, 2020, Israelis protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to court on February 8, 2021 to formally respond to the corruption charges filed against him, as his trial enters an intensified phase six weeks before he faces re-election. MENAHEM KAHANA / AFP
 In this file photo taken on July 21, 2020, Israelis protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to court on February 8, 2021 to formally respond to the corruption charges filed against him, as his trial enters an intensified phase six weeks before he faces re-election. Menahem KAHANA / AFP
In this file photo taken on August 11, 2018, silhouettes of demonstrator are seen through a giant poster depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Arab Israelis and their supporters march in a rally to protest against the 'Jewish Nation-State Law' in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to court on February 8, 2021 to formally respond to the corruption charges filed against him, as his trial enters an intensified phase six weeks before he face
A demonstrator wearing a mask representing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures during a demonstration outside the court, as his corruption trial resumes in occupied east Jerusalem, on February 8, 2021. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to court to formally respond to the corruption charges against him, as his trial enters an intensified phase six weeks before he faces re-election. EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks on ahead of a hearing in his corruption trial at the Jerusalem district court, on February 8, 2021. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to court to formally respond to the corruption charges against him, as his trial enters an intensified phase six weeks before he faces re-election. POOL / AFP
Israelis demonstrate outside the court as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial resumes in occupied east Jerusalem, on February 8, 2021. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to court to formally respond to the corruption charges against him, as his trial enters an intensified phase six weeks before he faces re-election. Ahmad GHARABLI / AFP
Israelis demonstrate outside the court as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial resumes in occupied east Jerusalem, on February 8, 2021. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to court to formally respond to the corruption charges against him, as his trial enters an intensified phase six weeks before he faces re-election. EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP
Israelis demonstrate outside the court as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial resumes in occupied east Jerusalem, on February 8, 2021. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to court to formally respond to the corruption charges against him, as his trial enters an intensified phase six weeks before he faces re-election. EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP
A demonstrator wearing a mask representing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures during a demonstration outside the court, as his corruption trial resumes in occupied east Jerusalem, on February 8, 2021. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to court to formally respond to the corruption charges against him, as his trial enters an intensified phase six weeks before he faces re-election. EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP
A demonstrator wearing a mask representing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures during a demonstration outside the court, as his corruption trial resumes in occupied east Jerusalem, on February 8, 2021. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to court to formally respond to the corruption charges against him, as his trial enters an intensified phase six weeks before he faces re-election. EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP
In this file photo taken on July 21, 2020, Israelis protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to court on February 8, 2021 to formally respond to the corruption charges filed against him, as his trial enters an intensified phase six weeks before he faces re-election. MENAHEM KAHANA / AFP
In this file photo taken on July 21, 2020, Israelis protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to court on February 8, 2021 to formally respond to the corruption charges filed against him, as his trial enters an intensified phase six weeks before he faces re-election. MENAHEM KAHANA / AFP
 In this file photo taken on July 21, 2020, Israelis protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to court on February 8, 2021 to formally respond to the corruption charges filed against him, as his trial enters an intensified phase six weeks before he faces re-election. Menahem KAHANA / AFP
In this file photo taken on July 21, 2020, Israelis protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to court on February 8, 2021 to formally respond to the corruption charges filed against him, as his trial enters an intensified phase six weeks before he faces re-election. Menahem KAHANA / AFP
In this file photo taken on August 11, 2018, silhouettes of demonstrator are seen through a giant poster depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Arab Israelis and their supporters march in a rally to protest against the 'Jewish Nation-State Law' in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to court on February 8, 2021 to formally respond to the corruption charges filed against him, as his trial enters an intensified phase six weeks before he face
In this file photo taken on August 11, 2018, silhouettes of demonstrator are seen through a giant poster depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Arab Israelis and their supporters march in a rally to protest against the 'Jewish Nation-State Law' in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to court on February 8, 2021 to formally respond to the corruption charges filed against him, as his trial enters an intensified phase six weeks before he faces re-election. Ahmad GHARABLI / AFP
A demonstrator wearing a mask representing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures during a demonstration outside the court, as his corruption trial resumes in occupied east Jerusalem, on February 8, 2021. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to court to formally respond to the corruption charges against him, as his trial enters an intensified phase six weeks before he faces re-election. EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP
A demonstrator wearing a mask representing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures during a demonstration outside the court, as his corruption trial resumes in occupied east Jerusalem, on February 8, 2021. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to court to formally respond to the corruption charges against him, as his trial enters an intensified phase six weeks before he faces re-election. EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks on ahead of a hearing in his corruption trial at the Jerusalem district court, on February 8, 2021. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to court to formally respond to the corruption charges against him, as his trial enters an intensified phase six weeks before he faces re-election. POOL / AFP
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks on ahead of a hearing in his corruption trial at the Jerusalem district court, on February 8, 2021. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to court to formally respond to the corruption charges against him, as his trial enters an intensified phase six weeks before he faces re-election. POOL / AFP
Israelis demonstrate outside the court as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial resumes in occupied east Jerusalem, on February 8, 2021. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to court to formally respond to the corruption charges against him, as his trial enters an intensified phase six weeks before he faces re-election. Ahmad GHARABLI / AFP
Israelis demonstrate outside the court as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial resumes in occupied east Jerusalem, on February 8, 2021. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to court to formally respond to the corruption charges against him, as his trial enters an intensified phase six weeks before he faces re-election. Ahmad GHARABLI / AFP
Israelis demonstrate outside the court as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial resumes in occupied east Jerusalem, on February 8, 2021. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to court to formally respond to the corruption charges against him, as his trial enters an intensified phase six weeks before he faces re-election. EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP
Israelis demonstrate outside the court as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial resumes in occupied east Jerusalem, on February 8, 2021. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to court to formally respond to the corruption charges against him, as his trial enters an intensified phase six weeks before he faces re-election. EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP
Israelis demonstrate outside the court as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial resumes in occupied east Jerusalem, on February 8, 2021. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to court to formally respond to the corruption charges against him, as his trial enters an intensified phase six weeks before he faces re-election. EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP
Israelis demonstrate outside the court as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial resumes in occupied east Jerusalem, on February 8, 2021. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to court to formally respond to the corruption charges against him, as his trial enters an intensified phase six weeks before he faces re-election. EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP

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