PM's pre-indictment hearings begin with Case 4000

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Netanyahu faces possible indictment in three criminal corruption investigations known as Cases 4000, 1000 and 2000. Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit announced in February that he intends to file charges against the prime minister for all three cases.

Benjamin Netanyahu's defense team arrive for his pre-trial hearing in Jerusalem (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)

Netanyahu could face fraud and breach of trust charges in all three cases, and bribery charges in Case 4000, which is on the agenda during Wednesday and Thursdays hearings.

The prime minister himself will not be present at the hearing held at the Justice Ministry in Jerusalem and will be represented by his defense team. 

Netanyahu has denied wrongdoing, calling the allegations part of a media-orchestrated witch hunt. 

One Netanyahu's attorneys, Ram Caspi, said he believes Mandelblit would make his decision on whether to indict "professionally … ignoring any background noise, unnecessary demonstrations and media pressure."

Caspi said the issue of a possible plea deal was not on the agenda.

Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit arrives at Benjamin Netanyahu's pre-trial hearing in Jerusalem (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)

"We are going to present not only the evidence everyone is aware of, but also new evidence," said Netanyahu's attorney Amit Haddad as he went into the hearing.

"We are sure that once we present our findings there will be no choice but to close the case," he said. "We know and we believe that at the end of the day all the three cases must be closed."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Photo: Courtesy of the Likud Party)

The prime minister is being investigated in three separate cases: Case 1000 concerns illicit gifts Netanyahu allegedly received from business moguls Arnon Milchan and James Packer.

Case 2000 concerns alleged discussions Netanyahu and Yedioth Ahronoth publisher Arnon Mozes had over a quid pro quo of positive media for the prime minister in return for Netanyahu weakening Yedioth's main rival newspaper Israel Hayom.

Case 4000 involves an alleged plan to ease regulations for telecommunications mogul and Bezeq chief Shaul Elovitch in return for positive coverage on his Walla! news website.

After hearing the arguments, the attorney general is expected to decide by the end of December whether to indict Netanyahu.