Netanyahu testifies in corruption trial, vows to refute charges

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the stand Tuesday in his ongoing corruption trial. He became the first sitting Israeli leader to testify as a criminal defendant.

He faces fraud and bribery charges, including accepting lavish gifts from a Hollywood producer in exchange for favors. He is also accused of advancing media regulations for moguls in return for favorable coverage. Netanyahu has denied wrongdoing.

The charges come at a time when the Israeli prime minister’s legacy is already tainted with the Gaza war, which has caused international isolation.

The trial also comes when Israel escalated its military campaign in Syria and recently seized land on the Syrian side of the border in the Golan Heights amid the fall of the Bashar Assad regime.

Netanyahu has launched 350 airstrikes since Sunday and conducted its first ground operation there since 1973. It targeted military assets, including missiles, weapons sites, an airfield and naval vessels.

Israel claims the attack was to stop abandoned Syrian military assets from falling into rebel hands, particularly jihadist groups.

However, the strikes have drawn international condemnation and added to the region’s instability.