Netanyahu suffering from bronchitis, asks judge in corruption trial to shorten testimony

‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested a reduction in his court testimony hours, citing a persistent case of bronchitis.

The request was made during a new hearing in his long-running corruption trial, the first since President Donald Trump publicly called for his pardon.

Netanyahu, who faces charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of public trust, told the court, "The doctor said I need to take a few days of rest - I have bronchitis that refuses to get better,” according to Yedioth Ahronoth.

He explained that his demanding schedule, filled with various events, has made it difficult to fully recover.

"I told him that I can't because I have events, so he said work less and take a few hours of rest," Netanyahu stated.

"I would prefer to reduce the hours, one hour or two is what I can do."

Netanyahu faces charges of bribery, fraud and breach of public trust in three separate cases and he is the first sitting prime minister of ‘Israel’ to face a criminal trial.

"This has been one of the greatest wartime presidents, and cigars and champagne, who the hell cares about that?" said Trump in the Knesset on Monday.