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Trial of Israeli PM Netanyanu for bribery, fraud & breach of trust begins today. Media were refused permission to film (unlike in civil petition against his govt 2 weeks ago). I wrote about #openjustice, broadcasting and politics in this case here: https://insights.doughtystreet.co.uk/post/102g7tf/justice-must-be-seen-to-be-done-due-process-broadcasting-and-politics-in-the-is /1
Media are in overspill rooms b/c of Covid restrictions. CCTV sound failed in: journalists moved into the other before security could stop them: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/the-trial-of-benjamin-netanyahu-live-updates-629118 /2
My colleague @cnduffy has written about why it is important to have the media in the courtroom (when possible) here https://www.timesofisrael.com/as-his-trial-begins-netanyahu-rails-against-attempted-political-coup/ - giving submissions on reporting restrictions and enabling reporting when technology fails are key reasons /3
Netanyahu has made repeated attempts to politicise this trial - today he described it as an attempted coup by the police and the Israeli left-wing https://www.timesofisrael.com/as-his-trial-begins-netanyahu-rails-against-attempted-political-coup/ /4
So it is *vital* that due process not only does prevail, but that it is seen to prevail. At the same time, having the case broadcast live could have turned it into a circus, so it perhaps isn't surprising the Court refused /5
Some predict that this trial will be going on for two years https://www.ft.com/content/7817aedb-0160-43bc-b487-46e73ddb2d02 /6
This will dominate Netanyahu's term in office. The same term in office which may also involve annexing parts of the West Bank. Whatever happens, Israel and Palestine will be very different societies by the time it is over /ENDS
