In the District Court in Jerusalem, at 15:00, an unprecedented event will occur • For the first time: An incumbent prime minister will face judges, as defendant • This will start lengthy hearings that will be decided: Will Netanyahu commit bribery, fraud and breach of trust? • Foreign ministers and activists protest: "All the right is accused"

• PM Benjamin Netanyahu // Photo: Oren Ben Hakun

For the first time in Israeli history: a prime minister, in front of three judges, is on the bench. Today, at 15:00, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trial, which is charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust, will open. Along with Netanyahu, the other defendants will appear in court number 67104-01-20: Arnon Moses, Yedioth Ahronoth publisher, as well as Bezeq's controlling shareholder, Shaul Alovitch, and his wife Iris.

The discussion itself will be technical and is expected to take only half an hour. During the hearing, the indictments will be read, and the defendants will have to return to court if they understand the indictment and the charges against them. However, they will not have to reply - neither deny nor admit. 

The trial will be presided over by a panel of three judges: Rebecca Friedman-Feldman, who will preside over the composition, alongside Moshe Bar-Am and Oded Shaham. In the courtroom, Netanyahu is expected to meet with the lead prosecutor in the case, Attorney Liat Ben Ari, who also serves as Deputy State Attorney for Economic Enforcement and who was considered the hawkish marker in connection with Netanyahu's files throughout. She recommended that the Court file charges of bribery in all three The cases, a proposal that was not fully accepted. 

Dozens of media outlets from all over the world will review the opening of the trial and book a seat in advance in court. Entry will be allowed to a very limited number of office holders, due to concerns about Corona infection. It should be noted that the original date when the trial was scheduled to open was set for March 17, but due to the outbreak of the Corona virus, it was decided in coordination with the court administration that the trial would be postponed for two months - and as it will open this afternoon.

One defense attorney for each defendant

Recall, last week, the court rejected the PM's request not to attend the hearing, alongside his and Mozes's motion to be represented in the courtroom with two defense attorneys. However, it is estimated that Netanyahu will not have to attend any trial, except for hearings where he will have to testify Or a cross-examination is underway. 

Last Wednesday, senior police officials recommended the court administration tighten its circle of security around the district court judges in Jerusalem, which will discuss Netanyahu cases. The prosecutor in the case, Adv. Ben Ari, is also expected to gain security.

The main charges

Remember, the indictment against Netanyahu refers to three cases. In file 1000, "The Gift Bag", the Prime Minister is accused of fraud and breach of trust. The USSR suspects that for about 20 years, Prime Minister Netanyahu received favors in the form of gifts (cigars, champagne and jewelery) A total of about NIS 700,000. At the end of the day, according to the court, Netanyahu helped Milchan to obtain a US visa.

In addition, as detailed in the indictment, Netanyahu instructed then-Communications Minister Shlomo Pilber to assist Milchan in regulatory matters relating to a merger between the communications and network companies to benefit him. 

In the 2000 case, also known as the Netanyahu-Moses affair, the prime minister is accused of fraud and breach of trust. The court suspects that Netanyahu and the controlling shareholder of the Yedioth Ahronoth group, Arnon Moses, have coordinated moves to limit the distribution of the "Israel Today" newspaper. In exchange for sympathetic coverage at Yedioth Ahronoth and the Ynet website. As for Noni Moses, Mandelblit decided to be indicted on bribery charges.

In file 4000, "Bezeq-Walla case", the Prime Minister is accused of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Is. The advisor also argued that Netanyahu worked to moderate the wholesale market reform that created a competition for Bezeq. The value of all the actions that Netanyahu allegedly committed was NIS 1.8 billion.

The Likud intends to face the Prime Minister in court today, Ministers Amir Ohana and Miri Regev (the Likud) said they intend to appear in court this afternoon. "I'll be by his side as far as possible," Minister of Public Security Ohana announced, "Whoever stands trial today is not the prime minister, but the right-wing camp. After the public has already been exposed to charges - he gave Netanyahu the most votes ever."

Ministers will protest outside the courtroom

Minister Ohana added in an interview to News 12 last night: "I am concerned that there are reporters who can assess what the court will decide. They may receive judicial leaks. He said, "My trust in the judiciary was limited in the first place and in the past year my Justice Minister has not increased."

Education Minister Yoav Galant (Likud) tweeted on Twitter last night: "Unsurprisingly, the media's hypocrisy for the opening of the prime minister's trial is again celebrating. Days, about exposing Mendelblit Ashkenazi talks? These talks were part of a most serious move against the government and the rule of law. Where are the knights of justice, and why are they trying to remove it from the agenda? "

MK Mickey Zohar (Likud) also sided with Netanyahu, accusing him: "There were many who worked really hard, especially on the left and in the media to have a picture of the prime minister in court tomorrow, because they could not beat him in the polls."

In contrast, MK Yair Lapid said last night: "One after the other, Likud ministers rose for the last day to broadcast with one purpose: to threaten the judges and incite violent statements against the law authorities. This is the only coup attempt that is underway here. Netanyahu and Gantz - this It is your duty to go against it and make it clear that you will not let Mandelblit or the court hurt.

Yehuda Schlesinger and Daniel Roth-Avnery participated in the preparation