The court rejected Netanyahu's request to release him from testifying in the corruption case.

The court rejected the request of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to release him from testifying in a corruption case. This was reported by The Times of Israel on June 27.

"The Jerusalem District Court rejected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request for a two-week break in the bribery trial," the article says.

According to the judge, the request filed by Netanyahu's lawyer "does not provide a detailed basis or reason that could justify the cancellation of the evidentiary hearing."

The lawyer added that the Prime Minister needed a two-week break to devote his time to "diplomatic, national security and first-order security issues."

In 2019, it became known that the wife of the Prime Minister of Israel, Sarah Netanyahu, was found guilty of improper use of state funds and ordered to pay a fine of 55 thousand shekels (at that time $ 15.2 thousand) for illegal use of catering services. The bribery case against Sarah Netanyahu began in October 2018.

In February 2019, Israeli Prosecutor General Avichai Mendelblit announced his intention to bring charges against Netanyahu based on an investigation that has been underway for more than three years. The Israeli prime minister was suspected of bribing the media and receiving gifts from businessmen in exchange for patronage. Netanyahu himself has repeatedly denied involvement in corruption and called the accusations a "witch hunt." US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday, June 25, that Netanyahu's trial should be canceled.