Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s defense attorneys submitted a request on Sunday for an additional 15-day delay before the start of his testimony in his ongoing criminal trial. They explained that despite their best efforts, both Netanyahu and his legal team would not be ready by the scheduled date of December 2.

Earlier this month, Netanyahu’s lawyers had sought a 10-week postponement, but the court turned down the request, emphasizing that the prime minister had already been given five months to prepare since the original date was set in July.

The defense team explained that despite making “a supreme effort” to prepare for Netanyahu’s testimony, which included late-night meetings, both they and the prime minister have been unable to get fully ready in time.

“Despite this supreme effort, the defense is not prepared, and will not be able to meet the goal of being prepared, for beginning the defense by December 2,” Netanyahu’s legal team stated.

They also noted that their preparations had been further hindered by the International Criminal Court’s decision on Thursday to issue an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, accusing him of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

As a result, the defense lawyers have asked for Netanyahu’s testimony to begin on December 17. The process is expected to take several hours each day and span over several weeks.

In their previous request, the defense had cited the ongoing war on multiple fronts as a significant obstacle to properly preparing Netanyahu for his court testimony.

The prosecution opposed the delay, asserting that it was in the public’s best interest for the trial to reach a swift conclusion.

Netanyahu faces charges of fraud and breach of trust in two cases, along with bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in another case. He was indicted nearly five years ago, in January 2020, and the trial began in May of that year.

Netanyahu has continually denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the charges against him are part of a politically motivated witch hunt orchestrated by the police and the state prosecution.

Although he has made brief appearances in court, Netanyahu has not yet taken the stand. As the primary defendant, he is scheduled to be the first to undergo cross-examination when the defense presents its witnesses in the three cases.

The trial has faced criticism due to its slow progress. As it currently stands, the legal proceedings, including potential appeals, are expected to stretch into 2028 or 2029.

{Matzav.com}