Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hearing in his corruption trial ended early once again Monday due to “diplomatic and security reasons,” the latest in a series of similar interruptions that have hampered proceedings.

The hearing, coming as the trial passed the six-year mark, ended at 1:45 p.m. instead of 4 p.m. as scheduled.

Netanyahu’s defense team approached judges with the request at the opening of the court session.

Netanyahu’s testimony, which began on December 10, 2024, has been beset by numerous delays, with the premier frequently asking for hearings to be canceled or cut short. It is set to conclude in the next two weeks, with prosecutor Yonatan Tadmor telling the judges that four to five full days of testimony will suffice.

Israel is in the midst of shaky ceasefires that paused a conflict in Iran and reduced fighting in Lebanon. Another long-running ceasefire is in effect in Gaza.

Protesters gathered outside the courthouse to demonstrate against the prime minister.

Netanyahu was in court to face cross-examination on Case 2000, in which he is charged with fraud and breach of trust over allegations he planned an arrangement with Yedioth Ahronoth publisher Arnon Mozes under which Netanyahu would receive favorable media coverage from the publication and, in return, advance legislation to weaken Yediot’s rival newspaper Israel Hayom.

That paper, bankrolled by now-deceased American billionaire Sheldon Adelson and previously considered very pro-Netanyahu, is handed out for free and has seriously hurt Yedioth’s circulation figures over the years. The alleged Netanyahu-Mozes agreement was never implemented.

During the proceedings, prosecutor Tadmor repeatedly put it to Netanyahu........

© The Times of Israel