“Prime Minister is Unwell and Will Work from Home for the Next Three Days,” announced the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office on the 20th. After a medical examination, Netanyahu was diagnosed with acute enteritis due to consuming spoiled food. The Jerusalem Post reported that the cross-examination hearing of Netanyahu’s suspected corruption case was originally scheduled for July 21st to 22nd. His sudden health condition led to the postponement of the hearing, and since the Israeli judicial system will be entering its summer recess, his next appearance date will not be earlier than early September. The repeated postponements of the corruption case hearing have sparked widespread domestic criticism in Israel. Meanwhile, American media revealed that the White House has recently become increasingly dissatisfied with Netanyahu’s Middle East strategy, considering him too disruptive, “sometimes like an unruly child.”
On July 14th, Netanyahu testified before the court regarding his corruption case in the Tel Aviv regional court. (Source: “Israel Times”)
“Playing Delaying Tactics?”
The “Israel Times” reported on the 20th that 75-year-old Netanyahu missed the cabinet weekly meeting held that morning. Subsequently, the Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement saying that he was diagnosed with acute enteritis caused by consuming spoiled food on the evening of the 19th, and Netanyahu will “handle national affairs at home” for the next three days. The statement mentioned that Netanyahu’s condition had “improved,” and he is currently receiving IV fluid treatment at the Hadassah University Medical Center in Jerusalem due to dehydration.
According to Ynet News Network in Israel, Netanyahu requested the Tel Aviv regional court to cancel the cross-examination hearing scheduled for July 21st to 22nd on the grounds of his physical discomfort, stating, “Based on the improvement in his condition,” he would strive to appear for the questioning on the 23rd.
However, the judicial system was on summer break from July 21 to September 5. The duty judge of the Tel Aviv regional court stated that they could not hold a hearing for Netanyahu on the 23rd and 24th due to the holiday period.
According to reports, in early 2020, the Israeli prosecutors formally charged Netanyahu with bribery, fraud, and breach of public trust. The core case involved allegations that he accepted gifts from a millionaire friend, as well as suspected attempts to seek regulatory benefits for media moguls in exchange for favorable news coverage. The trial has been ongoing for five years, with multiple postponements due to legal challenges raised by Netanyahu’s side.
“Netanyahu’s hearing is again postponed—this time due to food poisoning,” reported the Land of Israel newspaper on the 21st. Up to now, during the cross-examination phase of the prosecutor’s inquiry into his corruption case, Netanyahu has only appeared in court six times. In contrast, his testimony spanned a total of 35 days during the self-defense phase. The Land of Israel stated that Netanyahu had repeatedly requested postponement of the cross-examination hearing, citing health issues, regional tensions, the Israel-Egypt conflict, and the defense attorney’s travel abroad as reasons.
The report highlighted that while judges “strived to facilitate” Netanyahu’s case, they gradually realized they were being deliberately misled. The Land of Israel mentioned that Netanyahu had been “playing tricks” in an attempt to delay the trial.
Public sentiment in the country also expressed dissatisfaction with Netanyahu’s repeated postponements of hearings. Some netizens commented: “Regrettably, the court cannot convene a hearing near Netanyahu’s bedside or move it to the courtroom. After all, this case has been under review for 62 months. It seems like it will continue for another 62 months! When the trial ends, no one will remember or care about what it was about.”
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Should Gaza cease to be on fire, it could jeopardize his hold on power. With Netanyahu embroiled in corruption scandals and his support ratings declining, he increasingly relies on the support of the extremist orthodox religious parties and right-wing nationalist parties within his ruling coalition. However, both of these parties have now diverged from Netanyahu. The extremist orthodox party has announced its withdrawal from the ruling coalition over the conscription bill, leaving the coalition without a majority in parliament. Meanwhile, its far-right ally has also withdrew from the negotiations due to its firm opposition to ending the war in Gaza.
According to “Today Israel,” on the 21st, Netanyahu prohibited General Zamir from presenting new plans for combat operations in the Gaza Strip during cabinet meetings. Insiders told “Today Israel” that Netanyahu supports the so-called “Humanitarian City” plan, hoping to relocate hundreds of thousands of people from Gaza to the southern part of the territory. Zamir had previously labeled the “Humanitarian City” plan as a “strategic trap” at a closed meeting, arguing that the Israeli military should focus on dismantling the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) rather than the resettlement of civilians in Gaza. Nevertheless, this insider “cautiously optimistically” believes that despite the deadlock in the ceasefire negotiations, under US pressure, an agreement on the exchange of hostages between Israel and Hamas is likely to be reached in the coming days.
According to the Anadolu Agency on the 20th, as part of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange negotiations, Hamas is reviewing a new map submitted by the mediator country for delineating Israel’s military control zone in the Gaza Strip. Sources indicate that Hamas has begun internal discussions and is discussing with other Palestinian factions. However, Hamas continues to demand that Israel return to the line of retreat agreed upon in January this year, which requires Israel to withdraw 390 to 1100 meters. Sources say: “There are signs that the two sides might reach an agreement within two weeks.”
“Sometimes like a disobedient child”
Netanyahu also faces scrutiny from the United States.
“The White House is increasingly concerned about Netanyahu’s Middle East policy,” The Jerusalem Post reported on the 20th, stating that there has been a growing doubt within the Trump administration about Netanyahu. A White House official, speaking of Netanyahu to Axios News in the United States, said, “Benjamin (Netanyahu’s nickname) acts like a lunatic, always bombarding everything.” Another US official believes that Netanyahu is too destructive, “sometimes like an unruly child.” Recently, after an Israeli military attack on a Catholic church in the Gaza Strip, Trump called Netanyahu for an explanation.
Israel’s Times reported on the 21st that it is still unclear whether these American officials’ attitudes align with Trump’s, but they have repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with Israel’s military actions regarding the conflict between Israel and Iran, as well as the Israeli military’s strikes against Syria.
“Netanyahu is committed to ensuring he can last another few months,” The Land reported on the 20th. Since the short-term pause in the March Israeli-Palestinian conflict ended in March, Netanyahu has been striving to survive until July 27, the day the Israeli parliamentary session begins, so he can continue to govern for a while longer. The newspaper stated that for the Israeli people, rescuing hostages is the top priority, but for Netanyahu, his primary task remains himself, “other things can be dealt with later.”
On the 20th, Defense Minister Benny Levy accused Netanyahu of trying to prolong the new round of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict until the next parliamentary election to alleviate his internal pressures. Despite Netanyahu’s term ending in December 2026, analysts believe that as the ruling coalition loses its majority in the parliament, Israel might hold an early general election. The Atlantic Monthly stated that no matter when the election takes place, Netanyahu will face the “most severe challenge” of his political career.