Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives to the courtroom at the Distrcit court in Tel Aviv, before the start of his testimony in the trial against him, October 28, 2025. (photo credit: MIRIAM ALSTER/FLASH90)
The hearing focused on claims that intermediaries close to Netanyahu discussed possible limits on the weekend edition of Israel Hayom in exchange for improved coverage of Netanyahu and his family in
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday denied testimony linking him to alleged 2009 efforts to reach an understanding with Yediot Aharonot publisher Arnon “Noni” Mozes, as his cross-examination continued in Case 2000 at the Tel Aviv District Court.
The hearing, which was shortened at Netanyahu’s request and set to end at 1:30 p.m., focused on claims that intermediaries close to Netanyahu discussed possible limits on the weekend edition of Israel Hayom in exchange for improved coverage of Netanyahu and his family in Yediot Aharonot.
Case 2000 centers on conversations between Netanyahu and Mozes. Netanyahu is charged in the case with fraud and breach of trust, while Mozes is charged with offering and promising a bribe. Both deny wrongdoing.
Deputy State Attorney Yonatan Tadmor questioned Netanyahu over testimony by former Netanyahu spokesman Nir Hefetz, who said he had discussed with Netanyahu in 2009 the possibility of meeting Mozes and conveying that Netanyahu could control or moderate the number of Israel Hayom copies distributed on weekends.
Hefetz testified that, after consulting with Sara Netanyahu, he prepared a page of talking points for a possible message to Mozes. According to Hefetz, when he later showed the page to Netanyahu at the Knesset, Netanyahu became alarmed by its contents and shredded it.
Sara Netanyahu, wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, arrives for a court hearing at the Regional labour Court in jerusalem, in the case of Sylvie Genesia, a former employee at the prime Minister’s residence, May 5, 2025. (credit: CHAIM GOLDBERG/FLASH90)
Netanyahu said Wednesday that he did not remember such a conversation.
“I can’t refer to things Hefetz said he heard from my wife,” Netanyahu said, adding that he did not remember a discussion about limiting the weekend edition.
A possible arrangement involving improved press for Netanyahu’s family
Tadmor also presented conversations between Hefetz and businessman Arnon Milchan, in which the two discussed a possible arrangement involving Israel Hayom’s circulation and improved treatment for Netanyahu’s family.
Netanyahu rejected the suggestion that those conversations reflected his position or authorization.
“People talk every day, quote me and say they are acting in my name,” Netanyahu said. “There are people here trying to solve a problem and raising ideas.”
Judge Rivka Friedman-Feldman noted that, at least on its face, the proposed solution depended on Netanyahu.
“So what?” Netanyahu replied. “They try all kinds of scenarios.”
Tadmor pressed Netanyahu on whether Hefetz and Milchan, both people close to him, would have advanced such ideas without his knowledge. Netanyahu said he had not been aware of the details of their conversations and was not part of them.
“I did not ask for immunity for my wife,” Netanyahu said, referring to the claim that Mozes would provide protection from negative coverage of Sara and Yair Netanyahu in exchange for limits on Israel Hayom. “I did not speak to them and I have no connection to conversations that took place without my knowledge. They are fantasizing and creating all kinds of scenarios. It did not go through me, it was not on my behalf or with my knowledge.”
When Tadmor asked whether Netanyahu was saying Hefetz acted behind his back throughout the matter, Netanyahu pointed to other parts of the trial in which, he said, Hefetz acted without informing him.
“He wants to be the peacemaker,” Netanyahu said.
The questioning later moved to Netanyahu’s meetings with Mozes in 2013. Tadmor asked why those meetings were not documented. Netanyahu responded, “You didn’t search well enough,” and added that some people ask that meetings with them not be recorded.
Netanyahu confirmed that Yediot Books CEO Dov Eichenwald had assisted him during coalition talks with then-Labor leader Shelly Yacimovich and Shas chairman Eli Yishai. Netanyahu said Eichenwald had initially come to ask for help promoting a book, and during that conversation said Mozes could help in forming a government.
“He said Noni has influence over all the central players in Israeli politics,” Netanyahu said. “He wanted to help me form a government.”
Netanyahu said the two did not discuss Israel Hayom in that context.
Tadmor argued that Netanyahu knew he would be expected to give something in return on Israel Hayom. Netanyahu denied that, saying the meetings did not begin that way. Tadmor noted that Netanyahu’s formal response to the indictment stated that the conversations were also intended to discuss the Israel Hayom issue.
Netanyahu said Mozes raised the issue of “dumping,” referring toIsrael Hayom’s free-distribution model, and floated ideas for addressing it. Netanyahu said he listened but did not act.
“He wanted a solution to dumping,” Netanyahu said. “He raised all kinds of ideas to solve the problem. I heard the things, and that’s it.”