BySARAH BEN-NUN

JUNE 22, 2026 12:56

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu charged prosecutors on Monday with misleading him and laying traps during cross-examination, as his lawyer Amit Hadad opened the final phase of questioning in the premier's extended criminal trial.

The discussion at Tel Aviv District Court focused on Case 2000 and quickly turned into a clash over materials shown to Netanyahu during the prosecution phase, along with whether the defense could now introduce more complete excerpts.

"I am a trainee lawyer in this absurd process," Netanyahu told the judges. "They present me with a false picture. They set a trap, and I fall into it."

Netanyahu argued that prosecutors had prompted replies that might seem inconsistent, even as the complete testimony and documents painted a more coherent picture.

Monday began Hadad's questioning after prosecutors finished their cross-examination the prior week. Defense questioning is restricted to topics from cross-examination that need clarification.

Questioning in Case 2000

Case 2000, one of three matters in Netanyahu's trial, involves recorded talks between Netanyahu and Arnon "Noni" Mozes, publisher of Yediot Ahronot and Ynet.

The indictment alleges Netanyahu and Mozes explored measures to limit Israel Hayom, then Yediot's main rival. In exchange, Mozes supposedly promised better coverage for Netanyahu and harsher treatment of his opponents.

Netanyahu faces fraud and breach of trust charges in this case, while Mozes is accused of offering a bribe. Both reject the allegations.

Hadad first tried to revisit whether Netanyahu met Mozes while serving as finance minister in 2003.

In the prosecution cross-examination, Netanyahu said he did not recall such a meeting. Hadad contended prosecutors had used only part of Mozes's police testimony and omitted sections where Mozes also said he could not remember and was unsure if the meeting occurred.

Judge Oded Shaham noted Netanyahu had already answered that he did not remember and saw no need to reopen the matter.

Judge Moshe Bar-Am observed that the key issue was whether Netanyahu's reply stemmed from a misleading presentation, which Hadad maintained it had.

Netanyahu: Prosecutors Asked Misleading Questions

The debate then turned to testimony from Nir Hefetz, Netanyahu's former spokesman and a state witness. Hadad said prosecutors had implied Hefetz described a "cease-fire" between Netanyahu and Mozes during the 2009 election campaign.

According to Hadad, the fuller record placed that period of relative calm after the election, from May to September 2009. The timing mattered, he said, because Netanyahu had first called such a cease-fire "possible" before later rejecting the idea.

Netanyahu highlighted the point, claiming prosecutors made it seem he had altered his account.

"They mislead me here and make me give two answers in court," he said. "Then they will say there are two versions, that perhaps I did not tell the truth."

Prosecutor Alon Gildin objected that once Netanyahu said he did not remember the events, the answer was clear. Re-examination, Gildin added, was not intended to let the defense hunt for documents or details to refresh the witness memory.

Netanyahu also faces charges in Case 1000, involving alleged gifts from wealthy businessmen, and Case 4000, concerning alleged regulatory benefits for Bezeq in exchange for favorable coverage on Walla. He denies all charges.