Overview
Benjamin Netanyahu is the first sitting Israeli Prime Minister to stand trial on criminal charges. On 21 November 2019, he was officially indicted in three separate corruption cases, collectively known as Cases 1000, 2000, and 4000.
Key Charges Across All Cases
- Fraud - Cases 1000, 2000, 4000
- Breach of Trust - Cases 1000, 2000, 4000
- Bribery - Case 4000 only (most serious)
Sources: Wikipedia |
Al Jazeera |
Times of Israel
Case 1000 involves allegations that Netanyahu and his wife Sara received lavish gifts from wealthy businessmen in exchange for political favors.
Fraud
Breach of Trust
The Alleged Gifts
What Netanyahu Allegedly Received
- Expensive cigars (Cohiba brand) and champagne worth approximately $195,000 from Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and Australian billionaire James Packer
- Jewelry for Sara Netanyahu worth $3,100
- Total value charged: NIS 691,776 (approximately $200,000)
Code Names Used
The Netanyahus and Milchan allegedly used code names to disguise the gifts:
- "Leaves" = Cigars
- "Pink" = Champagne
- "Dwarves" = Shirts
Alleged Favors in Return
What Netanyahu Allegedly Did
- Advocated for extending tax exemptions for returning residents (which would benefit Milchan financially)
- Used diplomatic contacts, including former US Secretary of State John Kerry, to help Milchan secure a US visa extension
Sources: Times of Israel - Milchan Testimony |
PBS
Case 2000 involves secretly recorded conversations between Netanyahu and Arnon Mozes, the publisher of Yedioth Ahronoth, one of Israel's largest newspapers.
Fraud
Breach of Trust
The Alleged Deal
The Proposed Quid Pro Quo
Mozes allegedly offered Netanyahu favorable media coverage in Yedioth Ahronoth in exchange for Netanyahu using his influence to pass legislation that would hurt Israel Hayom, a free pro-Netanyahu newspaper funded by American billionaire Sheldon Adelson.
The Secret Recordings
Former Netanyahu aide Ari Harow secretly recorded meetings between Netanyahu and Mozes in late 2014. Key revelations include:
- Netanyahu asked Harow to set up and secretly record the meetings
- Recordings show Netanyahu threatening Mozes: "If you take me down, I'll come after you with everything I've got..."
- Detailed discussions about limiting Israel Hayom's circulation
Key Legal Point
According to the indictment, Netanyahu didn't explicitly agree to the deal but also didn't refuse the bribe offer, instead conducting detailed discussions that left Mozes believing the deal was still being considered.
Defense Position
Both Netanyahu and Mozes claim these were not serious discussions. Each claims they were trying to expose the other's lack of trustworthiness. The alleged agreement was never implemented.
Sources: Times of Israel - Recordings |
Haaretz
Case 4000 is considered the most serious of the three cases. It involves allegations that Netanyahu granted regulatory favors worth hundreds of millions of dollars in exchange for favorable news coverage.
Bribery
Fraud
Breach of Trust
The Players
Shaul Elovitch was the controlling shareholder of Bezeq (Israel's largest telecom company) and owner of Walla! news website.
The Alleged Bribery
What Netanyahu Allegedly Received
Favorable, sometimes daily, media coverage on Walla! news website. The prosecution alleges Netanyahu and his associates intervened directly in Walla's editorial decisions, influencing:
- Which articles were published
- How Netanyahu and opponents were covered
- Hiring and firing of editors and reporters
What Elovitch Allegedly Received
Regulatory decisions benefiting Bezeq worth an estimated NIS 1.8 billion (~$500 million), including:
- Approval of the Bezeq-Yes merger (satellite TV provider)
- Favorable regulatory treatment while Netanyahu served as Communications Minister
- The merger resulted in ~NIS 1 billion flowing to Elovitch's Eurocom group
State Witnesses
Two key Netanyahu associates turned state witnesses:
- Shlomo Filber - Former Communications Ministry director-general, allegedly appointed at Elovitch's request
- Nir Hefetz - Former Netanyahu media advisor
Sources: Times of Israel - Police Recommendation |
Full Indictment Text
Trial Timeline
December 2016
Case 1000 investigation opened
January 2017
Case 2000 investigation begins
February 2018
Police recommend bribery charges in Cases 1000 & 2000
December 2018
Police recommend bribery charges in Case 4000
21 November 2019
Netanyahu officially indicted in all three cases
24 May 2020
Trial begins in Jerusalem District Court
5 April 2021
Witness testimony begins
July 2024
Prosecution rests its case
December 2024
Netanyahu begins testifying - first sitting PM to do so
June 2025
Cross-examination of Netanyahu begins
30 November 2025
Netanyahu requests presidential pardon (without admitting guilt)
Current Status (December 2025)
Netanyahu is currently being cross-examined. A verdict is not expected until 2026 at the earliest. If convicted on the bribery charge in Case 4000, Netanyahu could face up to 10 years in prison. He would also have the right to appeal to the Supreme Court.
Sources: DNYUZ |
Times of Israel - Pardon Request
Netanyahu's Defense
Netanyahu has consistently denied all wrongdoing and maintains that the charges against him are politically motivated.
Key Defense Arguments
- The charges were "fabricated" in an "attempted political coup" by police and prosecutors
- The gifts in Case 1000 were between friends, not bribes
- The Case 2000 conversations were never meant to be serious
- There was no quid pro quo in Case 4000 - regulatory decisions were made on merit
- The process itself was illegitimate and biased against him
The Pardon Request
On 30 November 2025, Netanyahu formally requested a pardon from President Isaac Herzog. Notably:
- He did not admit guilt
- He continued to contest the charges and the legitimacy of the process
- This marks a significant shift in strategy while the trial is ongoing
Sources: Al Jazeera - Pardon Request |
Times of Israel - Court Testimony
The Bottom Line
Benjamin Netanyahu faces three corruption cases with charges of fraud, breach of trust, and bribery. The most serious is Case 4000, which alleges he traded regulatory favors worth hundreds of millions for favorable news coverage.
As of December 2025, Netanyahu is being cross-examined after the prosecution rested its case in July 2024. He has requested a presidential pardon but has not admitted guilt. A verdict is not expected until 2026 at the earliest.
If convicted on bribery charges, Netanyahu faces up to 10 years in prison.