Netanyahu's trial testimony concludes after 98 sessions, closing remarks attack justice system

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has completed his testimony in the corruption cases known as 1000, 2000, and 4000. The conclusion of this phase marks a significant procedural milestone in a legal process that has spanned years and remained a central fixture of the Israeli political landscape. According to material reviewed by The Zioneer Intelligence Desk, the testimony lasted for 98 separate court sessions over the course of eighteen months.

Final Courtroom Remarks In his final appearance on the stand, Netanyahu did not limit his comments to the evidence but instead addressed the nature of the prosecution itself. He characterized the decade-long legal process as a malicious attempt to undermine both his individual rights and the democratic will of the public. Reports from the courtroom indicate he used terms such as "vile," "false," and "malicious" to describe the case against him, maintaining his long-standing position that the charges are politically motivated. He specifically criticized the use of state witnesses and investigative methods, comparing the pressure on associates to a "Stasi"-like environment.

Context and Next Steps The conclusion of Netanyahu's testimony follows a lengthy period of cross-examination and re-examination by both the prosecution and his own defense team. While this specific phase has ended, the trial itself continues as the court moves toward the next stages of the defense's case and eventual summations. State witness Yotam Zameri defended the Prime Minister following the session, stating that "no one is more innocent than him" and claiming that investigators had "combed him with iron combs" in an exhaustive search for wrongdoing. The Prime Minister's legal team, led by attorney Amit Hadad, had signaled earlier on Wednesday that the questioning would reach its end today, closing a chapter that has seen Netanyahu balance his defense with the demands of leading the nation through a multi-front conflict.