Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in court today in the Jerusalem district court as the trial for corruption charges against him began.

The trial ended after about an hour.

Netanyahu was accused of accepting cigars, champagne and jewelry from many people with a total value of more than $ 196,000 and in return for promises of help.

Surrounded by his right-wing Likud ministers, Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke to the media before entering the courtroom of the Jerusalem district court to face allegations of accepting bribes, corruption and credit violations.

"I came here with my back straight and my head held high," he said, asserting the charges against him were "fabricated and ridiculous".

Netanyahu, 70, is the longest running prime minister in Israeli history.

Other defendants, including media mogul Shaul Elovitch and Arnon Mozes, also appeared in court.

The Prime Minister of Israel was indicted last November.