Court rejects defense request to cancel indictments; hearings to begin on April 5, less than two weeks after national vote, will be held three times a week

PM warns of 'crude intervention in elections' if trial continues before March 23 vote, as defense layers ask for next stage in corruption case to be delayed by 3-4 months

With snipers on roofs, dozens of protesters outside, PM comes to court briefly, then leaves with permission; court to rule whether evidence phase can be held during elections

Judges will hear defendants' response to indictment and requests for delay until after March vote; PM, making 2nd court appearance, tells supporters to stay home due to COVID risk

In lengthy response to indictment, attorneys accuse prosecutors of not knowing how journalism works, trying to 'oust' right-wing PM; other defendants also reject allegations

Newspaper claims AG Mandelblit looking at forcing PM's recusal over attacks on law enforcement; Netanyahu demands independent inquiry of prosecution over alleged cover ups

Newspaper claims Mandelblit looking at forcing recusal over attacks on law enforcement; premier calls for independent inquiry of prosecution over alleged cover up in Case 2000

Miki Zohar also demands that attorney general probe officials named in report; justice minister says he accepts state prosecution's denial of misconduct

PM calls report 'shocking' and an 'atom bomb' that proves the corruption cases against him are a conspiracy, right-wing lawmakers call for investigations into allegations

Prosecuting the PM for trading influence for favorable media coverage isn't an attack on the right, but on 'the legitimate boundaries of politics,' says attorney Gil Bringer