Netanyahu Defense Team to Call Former Attorney General Mandelblit to Testify

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's defense team announced Thursday their intention to summon former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit to testify in his corruption trial after the Sukkot holiday. The hearings where they plan to call Mandelblit are scheduled to take place just days before the upcoming elections.

While the defense's intent to call Mandelblit is not new, the timing of the request has now been revealed. Sources close to the matter told Yediot Ahronot reporter Amir Ettinger that this move was planned by Netanyahu's circle months ago.

The strategic aim behind this timing, according to the report, is to bring Netanyahu's trial back into the public spotlight during the final stretch of the election campaign. The defense hopes this will re-energize the Prime Minister's support base around the trial and his claims of political persecution.

Mandelblit, who served as the Attorney General during the period relevant to the charges, is expected to be called as a defense witness. The specific dates for these hearings are set to occur shortly before Israelis head to the polls.