Israel's Netanyahu On Trial As Coalition Talks Ramp Up By Jonah MANDEL on April 05 2021 5:53 PM Israel's legal and political dramas converged Monday, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in court for his corruption trial as the president launched talks on forming a government. Netanyahu, ordered to appear in person for opening arguments, sat in the Jerusalem District Court wearing a black mask as the prosecution accused him of misusing his office to advance his political interests. Netanyahu denies wrongdoing in the case, in which he has been charged with accepting improper gifts and seeking to trade regulatory favours with media moguls in exchange for positive coverage.