Netanyahu trial: Court tells Israeli prosecution to drop bribery charge

The Jerusalem District Court confirmed previous leaks that it had recommended to the prosecution to retract the bribery charge in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Case 4000 corruption trial, according to a meeting summary published on Thursday evening.

In a June 20 meeting between the judges, defense, and prosecution, the judges told the state that it would have difficulties in proving the bribery charge, but the State Attorney's Office said that it saw the situation differently and further evidence would prove the case.

The prosecution said a bigger picture would be created when the defense presented its case.

Toward a conclusion of the trial

While it was initially leaked that the court had said that the bribery charge needed to be dropped for "the good of the state," the summary claimed that it had been said about the trial needing to end regardless of the outcome.

The decision to release such meeting summaries was made on Monday and was supported by both the defense and prosecution. The ruling was made after the parties claimed that the leaks were jeopardizing the trial proceedings.

The court also decided to approve the prosecution's request to hasten the trial by adding additional hearings in the coming trial year.

The decision was made recognizing "the need for advancing the trial toward its conclusion."