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Feb. 8 (UPI) -- As his corruption trial resumed in Jerusalem on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pleaded not guilty to charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Netanyahu, Israel's longest serving prime minister, briefly appeared in Jerusalem District Court to formally enter the pleas.
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"I confirm the written answer is submitted in my name," Netanyahu said during his appearance, pointing to a court document his attorneys filed with the court in January.
Netanyahu's attorneys asked for a three- to four-month postponement of the next phase of the corruption trial, at which witnesses would begin to testify. Prosecutors have called for an immediate start.
Israeli Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit first filed the charges against Netanyahu a year ago.
"The indictment was served a year ago. You knew months ago this case was going to court," judge Rivkah Friedman-Feldman told Netanyahu attorney Boaz Ben Zur Monday when he asked for a delay in the evidentiary phase.
The court could delay the witness phase until after Israel's next national election on March 23. It will be the country's fourth vote in two years. All three of the prior elections failed because Netanyahu and opposition leader Benny Gantz failed to form a workable governing coalition.
Netanyahu supporters crowded streets around the courthouse last year, but the prime minister is asking them, this time, to stay away due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"Anyway, everyone sees that the witch hunt against me is crumbling," Netanyahu said. "Everybody understands it is another transparent attempt to topple a strong prime minister."
