Shin Bet Withheld Critical Information in Netanyahu Aide's Probe

The Shin Bet security agency failed to provide the police with crucial information related to the investigation of Tzachi Braverman, the chief of staff to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the "night meeting" incident. The information withheld pertained to a covert investigation and potential suspects, which investigators believe allowed Braverman to allegedly obstruct the inquiry.

The investigation into Braverman, who was questioned under caution, centers on how the Prime Minister's Office learned about the covert investigation before arrests were made. It was recently discovered that the Shin Bet, involved in the investigation, had requested a specific investigative procedure under a gag order, requiring the Prime Minister's approval. This request was channeled through Braverman.

Despite knowing that information about the covert investigation had reached the Prime Minister's Office via Braverman, the Shin Bet did not relay this to the police investigators. This occurred even after suspect Eli Feldstein mentioned in his interrogations that he received information about the probe from a senior official, and following Feldstein's interview on Kan 11 news, and after a public investigation was opened and Braverman was questioned.

Initially, police investigators suspected that information about the covert investigation was leaked to Braverman by elements within the IDF. This suspicion led to a senior official in the IDF Chief of Staff's office being questioned under caution for allegedly leaking internal, prohibited information to Braverman.

The Shin Bet has yet to explain why it waited over a year to transfer the information that could have connected the dots for the investigating unit and ultimately led to the draft indictment. The article also notes that efforts were made to deny Braverman's involvement in the "night meeting."