Where Netanyahu’s Criminal Cases Stand

ISRAEL · COURTS

Published Tuesday, 27 October, 7:13 p.m. ET · Source: Jerusalem District Court, Israel’s Attorney General, President of Israel, International Criminal Court

Three Cases, One Trial

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is the first sitting Israeli prime minister to be tried in a criminal court. He faces charges of fraud and breach of trust in three cases, and a bribery charge in one.

He was indicted in November 2019, and the trial at the Jerusalem District Court opened in May 2020. He denies wrongdoing and says the prosecution is politically motivated.

What the Cases Are About

Case 1000 concerns expensive gifts that prosecutors say Netanyahu and his family received from wealthy businessmen. Case 2000 concerns talks with a newspaper publisher over favourable coverage in exchange for help against a rival paper.

Case 4000 is the most serious, because prosecutors allege Netanyahu gave regulatory benefits to a telecom owner in return for favourable coverage on a news site. That is the case with the bribery charge.

Where the Trial Stands

The trial is still in its evidence phase, with no verdict. Netanyahu began his own testimony in December 2024.

The defence is still presenting its case, and the court has not set a date for a verdict.

The Pardon Request

Netanyahu asked President Isaac Herzog for a pardon in November 2025, and US President Donald Trump publicly backed the request. Herzog said in April 2026 that he wanted efforts at a deal between the parties before deciding.

No pardon has been announced. Critics say any pardon should come with an admission of guilt or his retirement from politics.

The ICC Warrant

The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in November 2024 over the Gaza war, which Israel rejects. It is separate from the domestic trial.

The warrant limits where he can travel, because ICC member states are obliged to act on it. The court’s ruling on Israel’s challenges is a different track from the Jerusalem trial.

Why It Matters

The election of 27 October decides who leads Israel while these cases run, as we report in our results report. A new government could change the pressure on the court, the pardon and any plea talks.

Our full coverage is in our Israel election dossier.

What It Means for You

For US readers, a leader of a close ally is on trial while negotiating over Gaza and Iran, and that can shape how fast Israel decides. Washington has treated the trial as an internal matter.

Do not expect a verdict soon. The court calendar, not the election, sets the pace.

What Is Not Known

It is not known when the trial will end or what the verdict will be, since the court has not ruled on any charge. Whether Herzog will grant a pardon, and on what terms, is also unknown.

It is not known whether plea talks are still alive. Whether the election result changes any of this has not been established.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Netanyahu charged with?

He is charged with fraud and breach of trust in Cases 1000, 2000 and 4000, and with bribery in Case 4000. He denies all charges.

Has Netanyahu been pardoned?

No. He asked President Herzog for a pardon in November 2025, and no decision has been announced.

Is the ICC warrant the same case?

No. The International Criminal Court warrant of November 2024 concerns the Gaza war, while the Jerusalem trial concerns corruption.

Sources: Jerusalem District Court, Israel’s Attorney General, President of Israel, International Criminal Court.

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