Benjamin Netanyahu has began giving proof in his corruption trial, calling the case “absurd” and saying he hates champagne in response to claims he accepted items of alcohol and cigars.

The Israeli prime minister instructed a fortified, underground court docket in Tel Aviv he would refute the allegations and known as them a “drop within the sea” in contrast with defending his nation.

Mr Netanyahu mentioned he had waited “eight years for this second” and vowed to “poke holes within the absurd accusations”.

The 75-year-old denies expenses of fraud, accepting bribes and breach of belief in three separate circumstances, portray them as a witch-hunt designed to finish his prolonged rule.

He is accused of granting advantageous regulation to 2 media corporations in trade for beneficial protection of himself and his spouse.

Tens of hundreds of {dollars} of cigars and champagne had been additionally allegedly amongst items he wrongfully obtained from Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and Australian billionaire James Packer.

Nevertheless, the prime minister instructed the court docket he hated champagne – including that he smoked cigars however might hardly ever end them due to his workload.

Mr Netanyahu is ready to testify for about six hours a day, three days per week for a number of weeks.

Critics have questioned how he’ll be capable of run the nation, carry on high of the battle in Gaza and different regional strife – however he instructed the court docket he might handle all of it.

Mr Netanyahu was handed notes throughout Tuesday’s proceedings after his lawyer requested for permission for this to have the ability to occur all through his trial so he might sustain with state enterprise.

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A court docket beforehand denied requests to delay the beginning of the trial and to restrict his hours on the stand.

The prime minister was first indicted in 2019 however the verdict just isn’t anticipated till 2026 at finest.

Mr Netanyahu will be capable of attraction to the supreme court docket, so the case might drag on even longer.

Israel‘s longest-serving chief can also be beneath an arrest warrant from the Worldwide Felony Courtroom for alleged battle crimes in Gaza – claims he denies.