Court approves Netanyahu’s request, cancels PM’s testimony for tomorrow citing ‘urgent diplomatic meeting’

The Jerusalem District Court this Sunday morning accepted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s request to cancel his testimony that had been scheduled for tomorrow, due to an “urgent diplomatic meeting.”

In the prime minister’s request, it was written that in addition to the diplomatic meeting, a 40 signatures debate is expected to take place tomorrow in the Knesset, and Netanyahu’s presence is required there.

The State Prosecutor’s Office also agreed to the request: “Due to the reasons detailed in the open and classified request, which do not allow holding a hearing even at later hours, and in light of the court-scheduled end time of 14:00, the state will not object to the request.”

A week ago, Netanyahu submitted a request for clemency to President Isaac Herzog. In the unusual request he delivered to the president, the prime minister did not admit guilt regarding the charges he faces in his trial. The president’s decision is expected within “a few weeks.”

In his first statement after submitting the clemency request, Netanyahu referred to the implications of his trial on public sentiment and even on the security situation. “My personal interest was and remains to continue the process to its end, until my full acquittal on all charges. But the security and diplomatic reality — the national interest — require otherwise. The State of Israel faces enormous challenges.”