Benjamin Netanyahu faces renewed courtroom scrutiny as criminal trial resumes in Jerusalem after wartime pause

After weeks of disruption caused by the war with Iran, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s criminal trial is set to continue this Sunday.

The Jerusalem District Court will hear testimony from a defense witness at 9:30 a.m., marking the first session since emergency restrictions on Israel’s judicial system were lifted.

The pause in court activity affected not just Netanyahu but a wide range of civil and criminal cases.

Following the outbreak of hostilities on February 28, the Justice Ministry placed courts under a “special emergency” mode, prioritizing only urgent matters while most proceedings were put on hold.

That emergency framework was extended multiple times, and now, with the restrictions lifted, courts are returning to their regular schedules: Sundays in Jerusalem and Monday through Wednesday sessions at the Tel Aviv District Court.

The Trial’s Long Road

Netanyahu’s trial has been ongoing since 2019, when he was indicted on corruption charges spanning Cases 1000, 2000, and 4000. He has consistently pleaded not guilty.

In December 2024, he began testifying in person, becoming the first sitting Israeli prime minister to do so in a criminal case.

By June 2025, prosecutors had begun cross-examination, following months of direct examination by his defense team.

The trial is particularly focused on Case 4000, also known as the Bezeq-Walla affair.

Prosecutors allege that Netanyahu, while serving as communications minister, advanced regulatory decisions to benefit the Bezeq telecom company in exchange for favorable coverage on Walla, a news site controlled by Shaul Elovitch.

Netanyahu has denied any quid pro quo or wrongdoing.

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Proceedings Interrupted by Operation Roaring Lion

Just as the trial delved deeper into Case 4000, the outbreak of the war—dubbed Operation Roaring Lion—led to the emergency halt of all non-urgent court cases.

Before the break, questioning had focused on Netanyahu’s alleged involvement in the Bezeq-Yes merger, his relationship with Elovitch, and a disputed “directive meeting” with Shlomo Filber, the former Communications Ministry director-general.

Netanyahu has denied that this meeting ever occurred.

Sunday’s hearing represents not a new chapter, but a procedural restart after the wartime pause.

Yet, its timing highlights the persistent tension between governance, legal accountability, and national security in Israel.

Impact and Consequences

The resumption of Netanyahu’s trial carries both political and legal significance.

It underscores the principle that even a sitting prime minister is subject to the law, raising questions about his ability to govern while under indictment.

Politically, the trial has fueled ongoing debates in Israel over leadership, transparency, and the intersection of law and politics.

For the judicial system, the case demonstrates resilience.

Courts that were nearly paralyzed during wartime are now returning to normal operations, restoring public trust in legal continuity.

Internationally, the trial continues to attract attention, framing Israel as a nation grappling with both internal accountability and external security challenges simultaneously.

What’s Next?

The trial will continue over the coming weeks with further cross-examination and witness testimony.

Focus is likely to remain on Case 4000, though Cases 1000 and 2000 are still active.

Analysts will watch closely for any developments that might affect Netanyahu’s political authority or potential legal outcomes.

Summary

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s criminal trial is resuming after a war-imposed suspension.

The proceedings, centered on serious corruption allegations, have already made history by featuring a sitting prime minister as a defendant.

The resumption marks a return to normal judicial operations while raising ongoing questions about governance, accountability, and public perception in Israel.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Netanyahu’s trial resumes Sunday in Jerusalem after wartime suspension
• The case involves corruption charges in Cases 1000, 2000, and 4000
• Case 4000, the Bezeq-Walla affair, is considered the most serious, involving alleged bribery
• Emergency court restrictions lifted, restoring normal scheduling in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv
• The trial highlights the tension between legal accountability and governance in Israel
• International attention remains high on Israel’s legal and political landscape