Netanyahu, accused of corruption, appears in court to testify

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at the Tel Aviv District Court on Tuesday to testify in his corruption cases.

Netanyahu said the hearing was an "opportunity to refute ridiculous accusations," namely a series of bribery claims against him. He allegedly received cigars and champaign for favors, and even sought positive coverage in the Yedioth Aharonoth newspaper.

"I have waited eight years for this, to tell the truth as I remember it," he said. According to him, the accusations against him are an "ocean of absurdity."

"Nothing is proven here in court," said Amit Haddad, Netanyahu's lawyer in opening remarks. "The irregularities in the indictment indicate two things: the prosecutor's lack of evidence, and that the police did not investigate a crime, they investigated a person."

"The Prime Minister will speak without filters," he added.

Due to security considerations, and after his request to transfer the hearing from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv, Netanyahu's entourage, ministers, and lawmakers arrived at the Tel Aviv District Court. This comes five years after the criminal case was opened.

Meanwhile, protesters arrived at the square next to the court with the aim of holding demonstrations, both in support of the prime minister and against him. The families of the kidnapped are also expected to come to demonstrate.