Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to return to court as his long-running corruption trial resumes on Sunday, following the lifting of the state of emergency that had paused legal proceedings during the recent conflict with Iran.
The trial had been temporarily halted after Israel declared a national emergency when hostilities with Iran escalated. However, with a fragile ceasefire now in place, Israeli courts have confirmed that proceedings will resume as normal.
According to a spokesperson for Israel’s judicial system, hearings in Netanyahu’s corruption case will take place between Sundays and Wednesdays going forward.
Emergency Lifted After Ceasefire With Iran
The state of emergency in Israel was officially lifted on Wednesday after authorities confirmed that no missile strikes had been reported since 3 a.m. local time.
The emergency measures had earlier led to widespread shutdowns, including closures of schools, offices and public institutions, as tensions rose between Israel and Iran.
The de-escalation came after Donald Trump announced that the United States would hold off on threatened attacks targeting Iranian infrastructure, including bridges and power plants. The decision was conditional on Tehran agreeing to a temporary two-week ceasefire and reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
This narrow waterway is responsible for transporting nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil supplies during peacetime, making it central to global energy security.
Ceasefire Still Under Scrutiny Amid Continued Strikes
Despite the ceasefire agreement, reports of continued military activity have raised doubts about the durability of the truce.
Israel has continued carrying out airstrikes in Lebanon, citing the presence of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in the region.
Meanwhile, Iranian media outlets have claimed that Tehran responded to the continued strikes by once again closing the Strait of Hormuz, intensifying concerns about the stability of the ceasefire arrangement.
What The Netanyahu Corruption Trial Is About
Netanyahu’s legal troubles date back to 2019, when he was formally charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust — allegations he has consistently denied.
The case marked a historic moment in Israeli politics, making him the first sitting prime minister in Israel’s history to face criminal charges.
The trial formally began in 2020 but has experienced repeated delays over the years, often due to Netanyahu’s official responsibilities and national security developments.
If found guilty, Netanyahu could face prison time, making the outcome of the case politically and legally significant.
Trump Previously Urged Presidential Pardon
In earlier developments, former U.S. President Donald Trump had reportedly appealed to Isaac Herzog to consider granting a pardon to Netanyahu.
Trump argued that the ongoing court proceedings were interfering with the Israeli leader’s ability to perform his duties, particularly during periods of national crisis.
However, no pardon has been issued, and the legal process is now moving forward once again.