Benjamin Netanyahu, the first sitting prime minister of Israel to face a criminal trial, is expected to testify for the first time when his corruption case resumes, AFP reports.

Netanyahu has repeatedly sought to delay his appearance in court, where he faces charges of bribery, fraud and breach of public trust in three separate cases.

At today’s hearing, the Israeli premier is expected to take the witness stand for the first time, responding to the allegations and testimonies made against him, including from former close aides.

The last time he physically appeared in the courtroom was in June 2023.

“I will speak in court. I am not running away,” Netanyahu said at a press conference yesterday.

“It has been eight years that I have waited for this day, eight years of wanting to present the truth, eight years waiting to completely demolish these absurd and baseless accusations against me,” the Israeli premier declared, again denouncing what he called a “relentless witch hunt”.

For security reasons, the trial has been moved from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv, where Netanyahu will testify in an underground chamber.