Benjamin Netanyahu becomes first ever Israeli prime minister to take the stand as a criminal defendant as he appears in court to face long-running corruption allegations

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will take the stand on Tuesday as a criminal defendant in his long-running trial for alleged corruption.

It is the first time an Israeli prime minister has taken the stand as a defendant, an embarrassing milestone for a leader who has tried to cultivate an image as a respected statesman.

The trial is expected to be a weeklong spectacle that will draw unwanted attention to his legal troubles as he faces an international arrest warrant for war crimes and fighting in Gaza continues.

Netanyahu will answer charges of fraud, breach of trust and taking bribes in three separate cases during his court hearings.

He is accused of accepting tens of thousands of dollars worth of cigars and champagne from a billionaire Hollywood producer in exchange for assisting him with personal and business interests.

He is also accused of promoting favorable regulations for media moguls in exchange for favorable coverage of himself and his family.

Netanyahu, 75, denies wrongdoing and says the accusations are a witch hunt orchestrated by a hostile media and a biased justice system bent on overthrowing his long rule. His testimony caps years of scandals surrounding him and his family.

‘I’ve been waiting for this day for eight years. I waited eight years to present the truth. I have been waiting for eight years to settle these misleading and absurd charges against me once and for all,” Netanyahu said defiantly on the eve of his testimony.

Netanyahu will answer charges of fraud, breach of trust and taking bribes in three separate cases during his court hearings

Protesters chant slogans and hold up signs during a rally against Benjamin Netanyahu during his trial on corruption charges at the Tel Aviv District Court

“These investigations were born of sin. There was no violation, so they found a violation,” he added.

Dozens of people gathered outside the court in Tel Aviv, some protesting against Netanyahu, including relatives of hostages held in Gaza. A banner in front of the court read: ‘Minister of Crime.’

A group of his backers were also present, holding up banners and posters in support of the prime minister, while some spoke through a megaphone during the meeting.

Netanyahu’s supporters see the charges as a result of the justice system’s bias and overreach.

Under Israeli law, indicted prime ministers are not required to resign.

But the charges against Netanyahu deepened divisions in Israel, with protesters demanding his resignation and former political allies refusing to serve in government with the Israeli leader, sparking a political crisis that led to five elections in less than four years in 2019 led.

Despite the pressure, the polarizing Netanyahu has rejected calls to resign and has used his position as prime minister to lash out at law enforcement, the media and the courts.

The testimony, which will take place six hours a day, three days a week for several weeks, will take up a significant portion of Netanyahu’s working hours.

Protesters raise a banner and placards during a rally in support of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his trial on corruption charges

This has prompted critics to question whether he can capably lead a country engaged in a war on one front, manage the fallout from a second front and keep tabs on other potential regional threats. including that of Iran or the recent fall of Bashar Assad in Syria.

An Israeli court rejected a request by Netanyahu’s lawyers to shorten expected hours of testimony, as well as several other requests to delay the start of testimony, which they said were necessary due to the prime minister’s busy schedule and the country’s major challenges.