Netanyahu Trial Resumes as Israel Lifts State of Emergency
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- Israeli courts confirmed Netanyahu's corruption trial will resume Sunday through Wednesday as Israel lifts its state of emergency, citing the Iran ceasefire holding
- Netanyahu faces three corruption cases — fraud, breach of trust, and bribery — including allegations of receiving expensive gifts for political favors, quid pro quo deals with Israeli media for favorable coverage, and telecom regulatory decisions benefiting friends and allies
- Netanyahu was first indicted in 2019, with the trial beginning in 2020 and facing repeated delays, including interruptions tied to the Gaza war that started in October 2023
- Trump has called the legal saga "politically motivated" and a "Horror Show," and has publicly demanded a pardon, labeling the prosecution a "witch hunt"
- Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi trolled Israel and the US on social media, writing that a region-wide ceasefire would "hasten" Netanyahu's jailing
- The Israeli Shekel closed at its highest level since November 1995 following the Iran ceasefire, even as Ben Gurion international airport fully reopened and sirens stopped blaring
- President Herzog has the constitutional power to grant a pardon but has resisted US pressure, with his office issuing only a non-committal response on the matter
Why it matters: With the state of emergency lifted, Netanyahu's trial resumes after wartime delays — and the shekel's jump to its highest level since November 1995 reflects market confidence the ceasefire will hold. Trump's pardon push collides with Herzog's refusal, leaving Netanyahu's legal fate hanging despite the diplomatic thaw.
