Live Updates: Benjamin Netanyahu trial day 16 | Israel News

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not meet with former communications ministry director-general Shlomo Filber to discuss moves to benefit alleged media bribery scheme co-defendant Shaul Elovitch, the Israeli leader claimed during his Monday corruption trial testimony.

Defense attorney Amit Hadad presented Filber’s calendar to prove that there had been no meeting in which, the state witness testified in 2022, Netanyahu had ordered him to help Elovitch cope with telecommunications reforms, advance the Bezeq merger, and please Bezeq.

Netanyahu said that the investigators had Filber’s diary, but hid it and other documents that supposedly contradicted their theory when they interrogated him. The prime minister said that in interrogations investigators had attempted to trap him.

“It’s monstrous what’s here. There’s an industry of lies,” said Netanyahu. This is my life we’re talking about. False accusations against me. This is the basis of bribery: A meeting that didn’t happen, things that weren’t said. The investigators have material evidence that refutes the lie and they’re hiding it.”