Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent court appearance for corruption charges provided a glimpse into his past disagreements with former President Barack Obama concerning Iran and Palestinian statehood. Netanyahu detailed his perception of Obama's policies, characterizing them as a "sharp turn" against his own beliefs. He recounted Obama's emphasis on engaging with Iran and pursuing a two-state solution with Palestine, including demands for a construction freeze in areas beyond the Green Line, including East Jerusalem neighborhoods like Gilo.
Netanyahu described facing "great pressure" to concede to these demands, highlighting the challenges he faced in navigating the relationship with the Obama administration. He also recounted a disagreement with then-Secretary of State John Kerry regarding security in the West Bank, suggesting Kerry underestimated the potential consequences of withdrawing Israeli forces.
Netanyahu further recalled advising Obama against relying on locally trained forces in Afghanistan, predicting their collapse upon U.S. withdrawal, a prediction he claims came to pass. This corruption trial, based on a 2019 indictment alleging breach of trust, bribery, and fraud, requires Netanyahu's attendance three times a week amidst the backdrop of ongoing regional conflicts. The charges relate to allegedly accepting gifts from Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan, failing to report a bribery attempt from newspaper publisher Arnon Mozes, and accepting favorable media coverage from Bezeq owner Shaul Elovitch in exchange for regulatory benefits.
Netanyahu, the first sitting Israeli prime minister to face criminal charges, denies seeking personal gain and dismisses allegations of requesting luxury items as "absolute lies." He portrays himself as dedicated to his role, working long hours with minimal family time, and using his limited free time for intellectual pursuits. He argues that pursuing favorable media coverage would have been easier by simply supporting a Palestinian state, a move he claims he resisted. Despite delays due to the conflict in Gaza, the court mandated Netanyahu's testimony. Leading up to this, he criticized the charges as a politically motivated "witch hunt" targeting him for his political stances, particularly regarding the Obama administration's policies.
