Knesset Member Rothman Criticizes Attempts to Block Ex-AG Mandelblit's Testimony

Simcha Rothman, chairman of the Knesset's Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, sharply criticized efforts to prevent former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit from testifying in the Benjamin Netanyahu corruption trial. Speaking on the radio, Rothman dismissed claims that Mandelblit's testimony at this time could influence the political system. He argued that exposing the justice system's alleged flaws through the Netanyahu trial, which he described as having "done a tremendous job" in revealing them, is essential. Rothman asserted that the public needs to see the truth, including the alleged fabrication of a case against the prime minister and the weakness of the bribery charge, especially as prosecution witnesses "collapse one after another."

Rothman questioned Mandelblit's ability to withstand cross-examination by Netanyahu's defense lawyers, referencing past recordings where Mandelblit allegedly spoke of pressure from former Attorney General Shai Nitzan. "We all heard his recordings, how he reacted to the pressure that Shai Nitzan put on him, and what he said, 'it has me by the throat' and so on," Rothman stated. "The pressures applied caused him to collapse once before. He is not a person who withstands this kind of pressure."

Rothman anticipates that Mandelblit's testimony could lead to dramatic moments in court. "When he is asked questions, and I assume the prime minister's lawyers are planning one or two tough questions for him, I certainly expect the public to hear some things there," he said. "It could also be that we will see a collapse there, as the man has collapsed before."