The Jerusalem District Court on Tuesday rejected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request to delay the start of his corruption trial, clearing the way for proceedings to begin as planned next week.
Netanyahu's lawyers had appealed for a delay, saying they needed more time to review evidence. State prosecutors responded that they oppose any delays and the court accepted their position.
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In overruling the request the presiding judge wrote that the first session on March 17 was a procedural reading of the charges only and the defendant's response was not needed, therefore there was no justification for a delay.
Netanyahu has been charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in connection to a series of scandals that include accepting expensive gifts from wealthy friends and offering to exchange favors with powerful media moguls. The long-ruling Israeli leader denies any wrongdoing and says he is the victim of a media-orchestrated witch hunt.
His legal troubles stood at the center of last week's national election, Israel's third in less than a year. Like elections last April and September, this one ended inconclusively.
Blue and White leader Benny Gantz refused to sit with Netanyahu in government and appears poised to push for legislation in the incoming parliament that would bar anyone indicted for a crime being able to lead a government - in effect disqualifying Netanyahu from leading the country.
The most straightforward way out of the political deadlock in each of the previous rounds was a unity government but the sides have grown increasingly acrimonious toward each other with each campaign.
In a sign of that division, the government stepped up security for Gantz, who has faced death threats in the aftermath of last week's elections.
The country's domestic security agency Shin Bet security agency announced it was planning on taking over security for Gantz, who was until now being protected by parliamentary security guards.
Also on Tuesday, members of the Likud abstained from a procedural vote meant to approve the official election results, citing their demand for a recount of hundreds of ballots that are in contention. Gantz's Blue and White said the move set a "dangerous precedent" that damaged the legitimacy of the Central Elections Committee.
