Netanyahu hearing ends as PM rails against media, police, and prosecution

The first hearing in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial ended less than an hour after it began at the Jerusalem District Court on Sunday, marking the first time an Israeli Prime Minister faced prosecution while still in office. 

Before the proceedings, Netanyahu lambasted the most powerful institutions of the state, who he claimed were trying to force him out of his role as prime minister.

During a press conference outside the court, and surrounded by his most loyal political allies, Netanyahu said: "Sources within the police and the prosecution who teamed up with leftist journalists... to frame me in imaginary cases in order to overthrow me as prime minister."

Netanyahu is facing charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of public trust in multiple corruption cases that were submitted before the court late last year. 

Netanyahu vehemently denies all allegations of wrongdoing. 

At the end of the hearing, Deputy State Attorney Liat Ben Ari said that the prime minister would not be required to attend subsequent sessions on preliminary requests.

Judge Rivka Friedman-Feldman, one of three justices presiding over the trial, said the court would inform all parties on the date of the next hearing. 

Alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister Benny Gantz (Blue and White party) said in a statement that he has confidence the judicial system will come to the right decision and judge the prime minister, adding Netanyahu is innocent until proven guilty. 

“Like every citizen, the prime minister also has the presumption of innocence and I am certain the legal system will carry out a just trial,” Gantz said in a message posted to Twitter.

“I would like to emphasize that my colleagues and I have full faith in the legal system and law enforcement. At this time, more than ever, as a state and a society, we must seek unity and reconciliation, for the sake of the State of Israel and its people.”