Ex-Attorney General Seeks to Postpone Testimony in Netanyahu Trial

Former Israeli Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit has requested that his testimony in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial be scheduled after October 27, following the upcoming elections. Mandelblit, who currently serves as the Dean of the Law Faculty at Ono Academic College, stated that the intensive preparations for the academic year, particularly for a new law program, would be severely impacted by the proposed trial dates. He learned of the request for his testimony, spanning nearly seven consecutive days in October 2026, through media reports on September 17, 2026. Mandelblit noted that the summons was issued late, making it difficult to prepare, and suggested the request could have been filed at least a month earlier. He specifically mentioned that the timing of the summons, close to the High Holidays and Sukkot, was impractical. Netanyahu's legal team had reportedly pushed for Mandelblit's testimony before the elections, with some right-wing activists speculating this was a tactic to mobilize voters. Mandelblit assured the court that he would appear on any dates set, but reiterated his plea for the testimony to be scheduled for November or December 2026, after the academic year has commenced.