Ex-Police Investigator Admits Taping Netanyahu's Aide Illegally

A former deputy commander of the National Fraud Investigations Unit (LAHAV 433), Superintendent Shmuel Sharvit, testified in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trial that police wiretapped the communications of Natan Eshel, Netanyahu's former chief of staff and confidant, in an attempt to gather evidence against Netanyahu himself. Sharvit admitted under oath that conversations between Eshel and Netanyahu may have been recorded, and that the wiretapping station was dismantled after only one month on his commander's orders because it was discovered the operation lacked approval from the Attorney General.

During cross-examination by Netanyahu's defense attorney, Amit Hadad, Sharvit was presented with documents detailing the police's request for the wiretap. The police argued to the judge that there was a "real and significant chance" of collecting evidence and that Eshel had "more indications of maintaining contact with the main suspect." When Hadad stated that the "main suspect is Netanyahu," Sharvit did not deny it, but claimed that "evidence collection does not require a conversation with the Prime Minister."

Sharvit confirmed that if a wiretapped individual was identified as a Knesset member, the recording would cease according to procedure, and that the listener would stop listening if they realized they were hearing a Knesset member. He stated that the wiretapping station was removed because his commander, then-Commander of Lahav 433 Koresh Barnor, instructed him to "take down the station after a month. There are problems, take it down." When asked about the "problems," Sharvit revealed, "I understood there was no approval from the Attorney General."

The defense is using Sharvit's testimony to support their claim that investigators operated without proper authorization to monitor Netanyahu's communications, which requires explicit written approval from the Attorney General. They argue the police circumvented this by obtaining a wiretap on Eshel, citing his connection to the "main suspect," and then recording their conversations. The defense also pointed to Sharvit's earlier admissions that he questioned why former State Prosecutor Shai Nitzan was listed as a confidential informant and that classified information had leaked to the press without an investigation.

Sharvit also stated he was unaware of a police request for a wiretap on Eshel's home landline, which the defense suggested was sought because Netanyahu avoided using his mobile phone due to fears of surveillance. The defense contends these events demonstrate systemic failures and improper handling of the cases against the Prime Minister.