Less than two weeks before Israelis head to the polls for the third time in under a year, the Jerusalem court announced that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial is slated to begin on March 17, a day after the new Knesset will be sworn in.
Trading barbs: Blue and White leader Benny Gantz called it a “sad day” for Israel and its citizens. “On March 17, Netanyahu will lose his mandate and his trial will begin,” Gantz said during a campaign rally on Tuesday evening. Netanyahu countered by saying that it would be an even sadder day if Gantz forms a government backed by the Arab parties. Netanyahu then invited Gantz to participate in a live televised debate — which would be the first between major candidates for prime minister since 1996. Gantz did not immediately accept the invitation.
