Netanyahu trial: Interrogation in Case 4000 continues despite unexpected request for pardon

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's criminal proceedings continued on Monday morning, taking place shortly after his appeal for a pardon was submitted to President Isaac Herzog on Sunday. Netanyahu, indicted in 2020, faces charges including bribery, fraud, and breach of trust across three separate investigations: Cases 1000, 2000, and 4000.

The trial's cross-examination stage began in June, initially concentrating on Case 1000. In the past two weeks, the focus shifted to Case 4000, where Netanyahu is accused of granting regulatory advantages worth hundreds of millions of shekels to telecommunications magnate Shaul Elovitch in return for favorable coverage on the Walla news site, which Elovitch owned.

During Monday's session, Prosecutor Yehudit Tirosh scrutinized discrepancies between Netanyahu's past descriptions and interactions with Walla from 2013 to 2015 and the testimony he provided earlier this year during his direct examination.

The hearing opened with a defense request to cancel the scheduled session on Tuesday due to security-related conflicts, promising to provide details in a sealed envelope. The prosecution raised no objections but asked that an extra hour of testimony be added to Wednesday's proceedings. Presiding Judges Rivka Friedman-Feldman, Moseh Bar-Am, and Oded Shaham approved the defense request and canceled Tuesday's session.

Prime Minister Netanyahu was photographed speaking at the Knesset on November 30, 2025, with President Isaac Herzog observing the proceedings. (Credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)

Analysis: Netanyahu's Ongoing Trial and the Pardon Appeal

As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's criminal trial progresses, a clear pattern emerges from the ongoing hearings. Netanyahu, who has been under indictment since 2020, faces multiple serious charges in three distinct cases: bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. These charges stem from the alleged influence peddling surrounding telecom magnate Shaul Elovitch and the Walla news site, which Netanyahu allegedly used to gain favorable media coverage.

The trial has entered a new phase with the prosecution intensifying its scrutiny of discrepancies in Netanyahu's previous statements. Prosecutor Yehudit Tirosh is focusing on inconsistencies between Netanyahu’s accounts of his interactions with Walla and his testimony earlier this year, potentially undermining his defense. This step is crucial in assessing whether Netanyahu deliberately misrepresented facts during his testimony in the trial's earlier stages.

Additionally, Netanyahu’s defense team continues to employ legal tactics aimed at delaying proceedings. The request to cancel Tuesday's session, citing security concerns, followed by the decision to extend Wednesday’s session by an hour, suggests the defense is preparing for a prolonged battle. However, with the focus shifting to Case 4000, this trial could become a pivotal moment in Netanyahu's political career.

The timing of Netanyahu’s appeal for a pardon, submitted just before the trial session, adds another layer to this complex situation. It remains unclear whether the appeal is an attempt to influence public perception or an actual strategy to avoid further legal consequences. However, the trial’s continuation despite the appeal signals that legal proceedings will not be hastened or halted based on political maneuvers.

As the trial proceeds, the ongoing developments serve as a reminder of the tension between legal accountability and political power. Netanyahu’s trial, now in its second year, reflects the wider challenges facing Israel's political system, where the rule of law and political influence often collide.

Sources:

• Netanyahu trial: Case 4000 questioning resumes despite bombshell pardon request