Netanyahu Trial Judges Rebuke Defense Over Witness Coordination Failures

Jerusalem District Court judges sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's defense team on Tuesday for failing to properly coordinate witness appearances, leading to significant procedural disruptions. The judges expressed frustration over the defense's unpreparedness, particularly regarding former Knesset member Eitan Cabel, who was slated to testify but was unavailable due to his military reserve service. The defense had requested Cabel's testimony without prior arrangement, a move that angered the court.

Presiding Judge Moshe Shacham admonished Netanyahu's attorney, stating, "It is impossible to conduct a trial like this. You said it was a glitch and used a very mild word." The court revealed that coordination issues extended beyond Cabel, with Judge Rivka Friedman-Feldman noting potential scheduling conflicts with former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit's testimony.

Friedman-Feldman declared the current procedures unsustainable and demanded a fundamental change, insisting on a month's notice for witness availability instead of the current week, especially when alternative witnesses are not prepared. The judicial proceedings occur amidst heightened political tensions surrounding the Prime Minister, recently fueled by controversial remarks from television host Eyal Berkovich regarding Netanyahu's personal life and religious observance.