Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s long-running corruption trial was briefly thrown into turmoil on Tuesday when relatives of captives held in Gaza disrupted the court proceedings.
According to Israel’s public broadcaster Kan, the incident occurred during a scheduled break while Netanyahu was testifying in his own defense.
According to Al Jazeera, the family members, visibly emotional, entered the courtroom and raised their voices in protest, drawing attention to the dire situation of abductees who remain in Gaza amid ongoing hostilities.
They demanded that the government take urgent action to secure the release of their loved ones, accusing Netanyahu of neglecting the plight of the captives in favor of focusing on his political and personal battles.
Security officers quickly intervened, escorting the protesters out of the chamber as the session was temporarily halted.
The interruption underscored the deepening frustration among many Israeli families who feel abandoned as negotiations to free captives stall.
Netanyahu, who faces charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, reportedly dismissed the incident, framing it as part of what he described as a campaign of hostility against him.
“This is just another example of the level of incitement against me as prime minister and against my family,” he was quoted as saying by Kan.
The corruption trial, which has dragged on for years, continues to run parallel to Israel’s intensifying military campaign in Gaza.
The clash of courtroom politics and the ongoing war has further polarized Israeli society, with critics arguing that Netanyahu’s personal legal troubles distract from urgent national crises. See, More, Here>>>>
The protest by families in court highlights the growing tension between citizens demanding accountability over the Gaza captives and a government increasingly consumed by both war and political scandal.
