Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu testified in his corruption trial Wednesday, replying to the prosecution's cross-examination. He said he had not understood that Yedioth Ahronoth publisher Noni Mozes was offering him anything, and that the thesis that he changed coverage in exchange for favorable treatment from the paper was absurd, according to a Channel 12 report.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned to the witness stand Wednesday in the Jerusalem District Court, responding to the state prosecution's cross-examination in Case 2000, the Yedioth Ahronoth affair. According to a report by Channel 12, the prime minister said he had not understood at the time that publisher Arnon 'Noni' Mozes was offering him anything, and dismissed the core prosecution claim — that Netanyahu advanced legislation targeting the newspaper in exchange for favorable coverage — as 'absurd.'
The trial, which has been ongoing for several years, is one of three corruption cases against Netanyahu. He is charged with fraud and breach of trust in Case 2000, which revolves around alleged talks with Mozes. The defense has consistently argued that the conversations were exploratory and never resulted in a concrete quid pro quo. The prosecution, by contrast, contends that an understanding was reached and that Netanyahu acted on it. Wednesday's court session continues the prime minister's testimony, which began earlier this month.
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