Netanyahu's Lawyers Seek to Summon Former Attorney General Mandelblit to Testify

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's legal team has formally requested that the Jerusalem District Court summon former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit to testify in his ongoing corruption trial. The defense aims to have Mandelblit, who decided to indict Netanyahu, take the stand sometime in October.

Mandelblit's tenure as Attorney General followed his earlier role as Netanyahu's cabinet secretary in 2013. In November 2019, after reviewing the arguments presented by Netanyahu's defense, Mandelblit announced his decision to indict the Prime Minister in Cases 1000, 2000, and 4000. The indictment, filed in January 2020, includes charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in Case 4000, and fraud and breach of trust in Cases 1000 and 2000.

These cases revolve around Netanyahu's dealings with businessmen and media owners. Case 1000 concerns alleged benefits received by Netanyahu and his wife from Arnon Milchan and James Packer. Case 2000 focuses on conversations with Arnon Mozes, publisher of Yedioth Ahronoth. Case 4000 alleges that Netanyahu advanced the interests of Shaul Elovitch, controlling shareholder of Bezeq, in exchange for favorable coverage on the Walla news site.

Netanyahu has consistently denied the charges, asserting they are part of an effort to remove him from office. The defense's request to call Mandelblit as a witness is a significant step in their strategy to challenge the basis of the indictment.