The trial had four preliminary hearings in 2020. At the first hearing, Netanyahu and three other defendants, Shaul Elovitch, Iris Elovitch, and Arnon Mozes, were present, and the judges read out the charges. Netanyahu was exempted from appearing at most subsequent hearings. On April 5, 2021, the trial moved into the phase of hearing witness testimonies. In early 2022, reports surfaced about negotiations for a possible plea bargain, but that did not materialize.Report: Prosecutors could close Case 2000, nix Netanyahu bribery charge in plea deal In April 2023, the prosecution and defense reached an agreement to cut non-essential prosecution witnesses, so as to reduce the number of prosecution witnesses who testify to around 60; with this agreement, the phase of hearing prosecution witnesses is expected to end in the first half of 2024. As of May 2023, the trial is still ongoing.
