Netanyahu Explodes in Court During Case 2000 Testimony
Prime Minister Netanyahu delivered fiery testimony in Case 2000 today, dismissing the years-long investigation as finding "nothing." Netanyahu denied knowledge of back-channel negotiations with publisher Noni Mozes and accused state witness Nir Hefetz of acting behind his back and recording him secretly.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s testimony continued on Wednesday as the court shifted focus to Case 2000, following the conclusion of his testimony in Case 4000 earlier this week. During a tense cross-examination by prosecutor Yonatan Tadmor, Netanyahu dismissed the allegations and the investigative process, claiming the authorities found "nothing."
The session centered on the relationship between Netanyahu and Arnon "Noni" Mozes, the publisher of Yedioth Ahronoth. Tadmor questioned the Prime Minister on whether he was aware at the time that Arnon Milchan and Nir Hefetz were allegedly making proposals to Mozes on his behalf without his knowledge.
Netanyahu denied awareness of the specifics, stating:
"I was not aware of the details of that discourse... I had no idea what they were talking about or what they were attributing to Sheldon [Adelson]. It was a case of 'two good friends' trying to take action."
Turning his attention to state witness Nir Hefetz, Netanyahu delivered a sharp critique of the investigation’s scope. He accused Hefetz of acting behind his back while secretly recording him.
"You recorded entire libraries that you took and searched. You scanned all my bank accounts and recordings, and this is what you found, nothing," Netanyahu told the prosecutor. "You turned the whole world upside down, the whole country, and you found nothing. Gornisht (Nothing)."
Case 2000 (The Netanyahu-Mozes Affair) involves allegations that Mozes offered Netanyahu improved media coverage in exchange for the Prime Minister using his influence to advance legislation that would limit the circulation of the rival newspaper Israel Hayom. Netanyahu currently faces charges of fraud and breach of trust in the case, while Mozes is charged with attempted bribery.