Overview
- The three-judge panel restated on Monday that proving the Case 4000 bribery allegation is problematic and again suggested the State Attorney’s Office consider withdrawing that count.
- The court approved a shift to five hearing days per week to speed the proceedings and address a judge’s planned retirement, a schedule the judges say would begin after the High Holy Days.
- Prosecutors have acknowledged the need to recalculate their approach to the bribery charge following the judges’ remarks and Netanyahu’s recent testimony.
- Defense lawyers and some prosecutors say a five-day schedule is nearly impossible to manage and warn it could force work on the Jewish Sabbath and disrupt lawyers’ other cases.
- If the bribery charge remains, attorneys and the court say the trial could require hundreds of witnesses and risk stretching the proceedings into 2028 which would affect courtroom logistics and political fallout.