‘Bibi v no Bibi’: Israel’s voters split on comeback of scandal-hit Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu's chances of returning to office in this week's elections depend on alliance with far-right

Everyone in the small courtroom on the second floor of Jerusalem's district court is tired of straining their necks to look at the decade-old receipts for whiskey, cognac and cigars displayed on a screen. Even the key witness in one of former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's three corruption trials, is clearly bored with answering questions about how often her boss used to send expensive presents to Israel's long-time leader.

The 73-year-old's absence hangs over the proceedings in much the same way his pugnacious brand of politics haunts Israeli public life. While the panel of judges peered at slide after slide of photocopied invoices on that warm day in September, the subject of their investigation was already out on the campaign trail, executing his comeback.