Netanyahu Defense Seeks Ex-AG Mandeblit Testimony Before Election

Lawmaker Moshe Saada of the Likud party stated in an interview that the defense team for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested that former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit be summoned to testify in Netanyahu's trial. Saada described the potential testimony as a "dramatic event" that could expose alleged flaws in the handling of investigations against the prime minister. He suggested Mandelblit's testimony, scheduled for October, shortly before the upcoming elections, could have significant political implications, potentially leading centrist voters to believe the system is corrupt and needs reform.

Mandelblit served as Attorney General during the "Case of the Four Hundred" investigations and approved the opening of probes that led to indictments against Netanyahu in Cases 1000, 2000, and 4000 in November 2019. Saada, a former deputy head of the Police Internal Investigations Department, asserted that Mandelblit was aware of alleged misconduct during the investigations and did not act against it. He claimed Mandelblit was aware of "blackmail" and "obstruction" during the probes and that Netanyahu's lawyer, Amit Haddad, would "lift the curtain" and question him.

Saada also raised concerns about the conduct of Eran Kamin, a senior figure in the police investigation unit, alleging Kamin received information from journalist Ben Caspit and referred to the Likud party as a "crime family." Saada claimed these issues would likely be addressed during Mandelblit's testimony. He further alleged that some law enforcement officials distrusted Mandelblit due to his past as Netanyahu's cabinet secretary, suspecting him of cooperating with the prime minister, and that Mandelblit subsequently acted to prove his independence by aligning with alleged misconduct.

Saada believes Mandelblit will face difficult questioning from Haddad, predicting a lengthy and challenging cross-examination. He expressed hope that Mandelblit would acknowledge mistakes made during his tenure, stating, "I wish he had the courage to say: 'I sinned, I erred, I transgressed.'" Saada linked the trial to the recent election cycles, arguing that the case against Netanyahu is the root cause of political instability and that the trial's proceedings could motivate people to vote for Netanyahu.