Israeli court delays Netanyahu corruption trial for one week

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had his corruption trial hearings postponed for one week after requesting a delay citing “security and political reasons.”

According to a report by Haaretz, the court conditionally accepted Netanyahu’s request to postpone the hearings for two weeks due to “recent events in Israel and across the Middle East related to security and political reasons,” CE Report quotes Anadolu Agency.

The court decided to postpone the hearings scheduled for this week but asked that a new request be submitted regarding next week’s hearings.

In its response, the court stated that it accepted Netanyahu’s request “after considering the detailed circumstances and having no other choice.”

Netanyahu had requested from the Jerusalem District Court not to testify for at least two weeks. However, the court approved this request only for the three hearings scheduled for this week, adding that a new request must be made for next week’s session.

The Israeli Prime Minister is on trial in three separate corruption cases known as “1000,” “2000,” and “4000,” facing charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust.

U.S. President Donald Trump had previously sent a letter in November 2025 to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, urging him to pardon Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption.

Although Netanyahu had earlier stated that he would not seek a pardon, he applied to Herzog for clemency in late November 2025 after being on trial for about six years.