Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu pleads not guilty as corruption trial resumes weeks before election
ABCIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appeared in a Jerusalem courtroom to formally plead not guilty to corruption charges just weeks before national elections in which he hopes to extend his 12-year rule. Key points: Mr Netanyahu is accused of offering to grant favours to media moguls in exchange for favourable coverage He says the trial is a "witch-hunt" that aims to "depose a strong right-wing prime minister" He faces a major battle for re-election in March after his ruling coalition collapsed in December Mr Netanyahu was indicted last year for fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three separate cases. PM seeking re-election on back of COVID response Mr Netanyahu has served as Israel's prime minister since 2009 and in the past two years has managed to hang onto power through three tumultuous, deadlocked elections. Israel has meanwhile reported nearly 700,000 cases since the outbreak began, including 5,121 deaths One major controversy concerns Israel's ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, many of whom have openly flouted restrictions on public gatherings.