Israeli Court Denies Netanyahu's Request to Delay Testimony
The Jerusalem District Court denied a request to postpone Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's testimony in his ongoing trial, citing a security matter. Separately, an affidavit alleges Qatar offered support to ICC prosecutor Karim Khan for advancing arrest warrants against Netanyahu. The claims involve audio recordings and a private intelligence operation.
Substrate placeholder — needs review · Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)The Jerusalem District Court rejected a request from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's defense team to delay the start of his testimony in his ongoing trial. The request cited a security matter as the reason for the proposed change.
Post by @Jerusalem_Post on X
Details of the security matter were not specified in the filing. A photo from an earlier court appearance showed Netanyahu arriving at the district court in Tel Aviv before the start of his testimony in the trial. Netanyahu faces charges in the trial, which has been ongoing.
The case involves proceedings at the district court level in Israel. Testimony raises suspicions that Qatar allegedly promised to “take care of” International Criminal Court chief prosecutor Karim Khan if he advanced an arrest warrant against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. An affidavit submitted to the FBI claims the allegations are backed by audio recordings.
The affidavit was provided by a person familiar with a private intelligence operation linked to the case, who requested anonymity. Karim Khan moved forward with seeking arrest warrants against Netanyahu in November 2024.
A subordinate accused Khan of sexual assault shortly after November 2024. Khan took leave about a year ago. This month the ICC’s governing body determined that disciplinary proceedings against Khan should be advanced.
The affidavit alleges that the Qatari government offered to “take care of” Khan if he acted against Netanyahu. In recordings cited, a manager of the intelligence operation is heard saying: “It was all in the context of issuing the warrant. ” The manager said the support came from “the state,” not an individual.
There was reporting about a private intelligence operation with alleged links to Qatar, aimed at discrediting the woman who accused Khan. Sources told that some ICC officials who became targets were later interviewed by the Netherlands’ counterterrorism agency.
” Two sources familiar with the operation confirmed Qatar was the client.
The affidavit also states that a source claimed—without providing evidence—that Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency believed Khan to be a Qatari agent. This led members of the private intelligence team to discuss the possibility. In one recording, the operation’s manager says he spoke with “the client” about the claim and that they were “not surprised” by suggestions that Qatar was supporting Khan.
“Not long they’ve been wrapping him in their arms,” the manager says in the recording.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
6 events- 2026-04 (this month)
The ICC’s governing body determined that disciplinary proceedings against Khan should be advanced.
1 sourceICC governing body - 2025-10-28
A photo showed Netanyahu arriving at the district court in Tel Aviv before the start of his testimony in the trial.
1 sourceunattributed - 2025-04 (about a year ago from 2026-04-29)
Khan took leave.
1 sourceunattributed - 2024-11 (shortly after)
A subordinate accused Khan of sexual assault.
1 sourceunattributed - 2024-11
Karim Khan moved forward with seeking arrest warrants against Netanyahu.
1 sourceunattributed - Recent (Tuesday before current date)
Netanyahu's attorney Amit Hadad submitted a filing to the court asking to limit Wednesday's hearing to the hours of 12:30 p.m.
1 sourceunattributed
Potential Impact
- 01
Potential escalation in Netanyahu's trial proceedings, leading to continued hearings without delay.
- 02
Disciplinary actions against Khan advancing, potentially influencing ICC leadership and ongoing cases.
- 03
Increased scrutiny on ICC operations and Qatar's alleged involvement, possibly affecting international diplomatic relations.
- 04
Further investigations by U.S. Congress or FBI into the affidavit claims, based on shared documents.
- 05
Broader implications for intelligence operations targeting international officials, as reported by The Guardian.
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