Benjamin Netanyahu heads to court as first sitting Israeli PM on trial

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a tirade against the nation’s justice system as he arrived at court for the start of his corruption trial.

Netanyahu accused police and prosecutors of conspiring to “depose” him as he became the country's first sitting prime minister ever to go on trial.

He faces charges of fraud, breach of trust, and accepting bribes in a series of corruption cases stemming from ties to wealthy friends.

He is accused of accepting lavish gifts and offering to grant favours to powerful media moguls in exchange for favourable coverage of him and his family. He denies the charges.

As he arrived at the courthouse, Netanyahu revived his claims that he is the victim of a deep state-type conspiracy by media, police, prosecutors and judges out to oust him.

He called the case “an attempt to eliminate the will of the people” and an “attempt to depose a strong right-wing leader”.

He said police and prosecutors had conspired to “tailor” a case against him, and said the evidence was “contaminated” and exaggerated. He called for the court proceedings to be broadcast live on TV to ensure “full transparency”.

“I stand before you with a straight back and head raised high,” he said.

Critics have said that Netanyahu’s “deep state” arguments have undermined Israel’s court system and risk deeper damage to the country’s democratic institutions.

Netanyahu spoke shortly before he was to attend the opening hearing in the case at the Jerusalem district court, after his request to have his lawyers represent him instead was rejected.

The dramatic scene came just days after the long-serving leader swore in his new government, breaking more than a year of political stalemate following three inconclusive elections.

Netanyahu held his first Cabinet meeting with the new government just hours before heading to court.

Neither he nor any of his ministers addressed the looming trial but the country’s outgoing religious affairs minister wished Netanyahu that “God will bring the truth out” at his trial.