“I have waited eight years for this moment, to say the truth as I remember it, which is important for justice. There is no justice without truth,” he said, becoming the first sitting Israeli Prime Minister to take the witness stand.

The Prime Minister faces charges of fraud, accepting bribes, and breach of trust stemming from three separate police investigations. Netanyahu denies all charges of wrongdoing and has insisted in the past that the trial would not interfere with his public responsibilities.

Tuesday’s questioning focused on the “Bezeq Affair.” Netanyahu — as Communications Minister — is accused of giving regulatory benefits to the Bezeq telecom giant. In return, Bezeq’s majority shareholder, Shaul Elovitch, gave Netanyahu favorable coverage on the Walla News site, which he owns.