Trial Resumption: Netanyahu Changes His Statement on Leaking Secret Documents

The trial of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu resumed Monday morning at the Tel Aviv District Court, following a nearly month-long hiatus following requests for adjournment, including over the Iran war and a closed-door session he held with Mossad chief David Barnea, National Security Council chief Tzachi Hanegbi, and Aman intelligence chief Shlomi Bender.

Netanyahu's trial today revolves around the case known as "Case 1000," in which he is accused of fraud and breach of trust, and his relationship with American-Israeli film producer Arnon Milchan. Milchan is accused of receiving personal benefits in the form of gifts of luxury cigars for him and bottles of champagne for his wife, amounting to hundreds of thousands of shekels, in exchange for Netanyahu's efforts with the US administration to extend Milchan's entry visa to the United States, where his business is based in Hollywood, and to extend the tax exemption period for citizens returning to Israel, from which Milchan would benefit significantly financially.

The State Prosecution began questioning Netanyahu in the same case on June 3, in contrast to the order it had followed in presenting the prosecution's case. It began with Case 4000, in which Netanyahu is accused of granting favors to Shaul Elovitch, the owner of the Bezeq telecommunications company, in exchange for favorable media coverage on the Walla! website, which Elovitch also owns. The prosecution considered the first case to be the strongest in terms of evidence against Netanyahu, unlike the last case (Case 4000), in which the judges recommended the prosecution drop the bribery charge, the most serious of the three charges in the case.

Netanyahu faces charges of corruption, bribery, and treason in three corruption cases, known as Cases 1000, 2000, and 4000. An indictment was filed against him in late November 2023. In Case 2000, he is accused of negotiating with Yedioth Ahronoth publisher Arnon Mozes to obtain positive media coverage.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu changed his statement regarding the leak of secret documents aimed at harming state security, which was revealed in November 2024. At the time, he said he learned about it through the media, but today, via his X account, he said he was aware of the details.

This comes after Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara decided to prosecute and hold a hearing for Netanyahu's media advisor, Yonatan Urich, on charges of leaking classified information with the intent to harm state security, possessing classified information, and destroying evidence.

Following this, Netanyahu stated, "I am aware of the details and I can state very clearly: There was no harm to state security. Yonatan did not harm state security."

He attacked the attorney general, saying, "This is a baseless move designed to serve another agenda, not the public's interest." He noted that, "The disgraceful decision issued by the attorney general regarding the intention to prosecute Urich at this particular time is unfortunate and raises serious questions."

It is noteworthy that in November 2024, the Public Prosecution filed two indictments in the leak of secret documents case against Netanyahu's spokesman, Eliezer Feldstein, and against an army officer, for leaking secret information to the German newspaper "Bild" with the aim of influencing public opinion in Israel regarding the negotiations for a prisoner exchange deal at the time. It was reported at the time, according to the indictment, that indictments were expected to be filed against other suspects in the case.