Facing Trial on Sunday, Netanyahu Attempts to Derail Ceasefire
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, TEL AVIV – The long-running corruption trial of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to continue on Sunday. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that this is the reason Netanyahu is stubbornly trying to derail the ceasefire.
Reuters reported that this was announced by a court spokesperson a few hours after Israel lifted the state of emergency imposed due to its war with Iran on Friday (10/4/2026).
“With the lifting of the state of emergency and the resumption of the judicial system’s operations, the trial will proceed as usual,” said a statement from the Israeli court, adding that the trial will take place between Sunday and Wednesday.
Netanyahu faces charges in two cases where he is alleged to have negotiated favourable media coverage from Israeli news outlets. The third charge involves allegations that he accepted luxury gifts worth more than $260,000 from billionaires in exchange for political favours.
Netanyahu is the first Israeli prime minister to be charged with a crime. The trial was filed in 2019 after years of investigation. The trial of the case, which began in 2020 and could result in a prison sentence, has been repeatedly postponed due to his official commitments, and no end date is yet known.
Netanyahu’s opposition in Israel accuses the prime minister of continuing the war to avoid court.
Iran began targeting Israel with ballistic missiles and unmanned aircraft after Israel and U.S. President Donald Trump launched airstrikes against Iran on 28 February.
The state of emergency, which had closed schools and workplaces, was lifted on Wednesday night as there have been no reports of Iranian missiles entering since the ceasefire was agreed.
CBS News reported that the Pakistan-mediated ceasefire agreement initially included a halt to attacks on Lebanon. This had been agreed by the U.S. and Iran.
However, shortly after the announcement, Israel carried out a brutal attack on Lebanon that killed more than 300 people in 10 minutes. CBS News reported that Netanyahu called Trump at that time, which later prompted a denial from the White House that Lebanon was included in the agreement.
Iran, which views the attack on Lebanon as a violation of the ceasefire, refused to negotiate until the attacks were stopped.
Trump had previously echoed Netanyahu’s call for Israeli President Isaac Herzog to request a pardon for Netanyahu, citing the impact of his court appearance on his ability to carry out his duties.
Herzog’s office said the pardon department in the Ministry of Justice would gather opinions to be submitted to the president’s legal advisor, who would formulate a recommendation, in accordance with standard practice.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a ceasefire across all regions, including Lebanon, could accelerate the legal process against Benjamin Netanyahu, whose criminal trial will resume on Sunday.
He also warned that ongoing tensions could weaken diplomatic efforts, and stated that if the United States allows Netanyahu to “kill diplomacy,” this will have broader consequences, including economic impacts.