Netanyahu took the stand for about four hours and will begin testifying on Wednesday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken the stand for the first time in his long-running corruption trial, denying what he described as “absurd” allegations against him.
Appearing in a crowded courtroom in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, the leader of Israel's involvement said the charges against him were an “ocean of absurdity”.
Israel's oldest Prime Minister is facing charges of bribery, fraud and breach of public trust in three separate cases. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
He took the stand for about four hours and will begin testifying on Wednesday. His defense secretary gave him written messages twice, the first time requiring a recess and stressing that he would have to do two duties as prime minister.
He attacked the Israeli media for what he called its left-wing stance and accused journalists of blocking it for years because its policies did not align with the push for a Palestinian state. .
“I have been waiting for eight years for this moment to tell the truth,” Netanyahu told the three-judge court. “But I am also the prime minister … I lead the country through a seven-front war. And I think both can be done at the same time.”
Netanyahu's appearance at the trial comes as Israel continues its assault on the besieged Gaza Strip amid heightened tensions in the region.
Critics have accused the prime minister of extending Israel's 14-month offensive on the besieged Gaza Strip to stay in power. They also say it is stalling a cease-fire deal that could have freed dozens of Israeli prisoners held in Gaza.
Outside the court, dozens of protesters gathered, including family members of prisoners held in Gaza.
Israel's offensive on Gaza has done more than kill 44,500 people, mostly women and children, according to Palestinian health authorities.
Three issues
The Prime Minister of Israel is on trial in three separate cases which were filed in 2019 – Case 1000, Case 2000, and Case 4000.
Netanyahu is accused of accepting lavish gifts from a billionaire Hollywood producer in exchange for favors with personal interests.
He is also accused of allegedly seeking regulatory favors for media tycoons in exchange for favorable news coverage.
His testimony follows years of scandals that have swirled around him and his family, who have earned a reputation for enjoying a lavish lifestyle at the expense of Israeli taxpayers.
Since the trial began in 2020, the court has heard witnesses in all three cases, including some of Netanyahu's former aides, who have turned state witnesses.
The prosecutors have tried to portray the prime minister as a leader with an image who broke the law in order to improve his public opinion.
The testimony, which is set to take place six hours a day, three days a week for several weeks, will take up a lot of Netanyahu's time, prompting critics to ask whether a country involved in a war on many sides to manage.
A decision is not expected until 2026, at the earliest, and Netanyahu will have the option of appealing to the Supreme Court.
