After PM accuses police, prosecutors of inventing 'baseless cases' and claims Mandelblit may have 'something to hide,' attorney general says arguments will only be heard in court

As his trial opens, the premier avoids dreaded photo of himself sitting humbled on the defendants' bench, instead releasing shot in which he is surrounded by fellow Likud MKs

Arriving at Jerusalem court, PM accuses police and prosecutors of inventing 'baseless cases' against him, says probes 'were corrupted and fabricated from the start'

Premier sits mostly silent through opening hearing, face hidden behind face mask; confirms he has read graft charges against him, as hundreds rally outside Jerusalem District Court

Opposition leader Lapid slams prime minister's 'incitement' at opening of trial, says it shows why a 'criminal defendant cannot continue to serve' as premier

PM's allies claim the right-wing and the marginalized are in the dock with him; opponents say the rule of law is at stake; come the day, how will half the country handle defeat?

Demonstrators at the court where criminal trial will be held portray attorney general as a traitor, while Netanyahu's critics call for his resignation at protest outside residence

According to report, formation of 2 new ministries and office of alternate PM won't be discussed, due to lack of funds for new institutions and ongoing disagreements over size

PM's supporters repeat claims that the charges against him are politically motivated; several ministers plan to accompany him to court

In 2015, Rivka Friedman-Feldman convicted Ehud Olmert, and said it should not have taken a retrial to do so; 14 years earlier, she found an ex-minister guilty of sexual assault