Sarah Netanyahu's Extensive Involvement in Government Affairs and Numerous Legal Battles Detailed
A comprehensive report details the extensive involvement of Sarah Netanyahu, wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in government affairs and her numerous legal entanglements. Despite holding no official public role, she has been deeply integrated into the Prime Minister's work since the 1990s. Former Mossad chief Meir Dagan recounted Netanyahu requesting to include his wife in classified operation updates, stating she was "involved in everything." Nir Hefetz, a former family advisor and state witness, claimed that key appointments in the Prime Minister's office required her approval, a claim the Netanyahu family and the Likud party denied.
Sarah Netanyahu has faced multiple investigations and legal proceedings. In 2019, she was convicted in a plea deal for accepting prepared meals for the Prime Minister's residence valued at NIS 175,000, ultimately paying NIS 55,000. Earlier, in 2000, police recommended indicting her and her husband in the Amdi and Gifts affairs, and in 2016, recommended indicting her in several residence-related cases. Labor courts have awarded compensation to residence employees due to abusive employment conditions, with many former workers alleging mistreatment by her. She and her associates deny these claims, framing them as a campaign against her and her family.
Beyond legal issues, the report highlights her alleged influence on political appointments and her involvement in public discourse. She reportedly had lengthy conversations with candidates for military secretary and was said to be able to review and join the Prime Minister's schedule. In October 2023, she and her son Yair allegedly pushed for a tweet blaming security officials for the October 7th attack, which was later deleted with an apology from the Prime Minister. Furthermore, leaked messages from December 2024 suggest she directed protests and online campaigns, including against prosecutor Liat Ben Ari.
Her public statements have also drawn scrutiny. In 2002, a recorded conversation revealed her saying the country wouldn't survive without Netanyahu and that "let the country burn." In 2019, she compared her situation to an inquisition during a visit to Lisbon. More recently, in September 2026, she was sued by Yair Golan for NIS 2.55 million after alleging he had prior knowledge of the October 7th attack.
The report also addresses the controversial use of digitally altered official photographs of Sarah Netanyahu. Since 2023, official photos released by the Prime Minister's office and the Government Press Office have undergone significant graphic editing, including smoothing skin and removing wrinkles, a practice that has drawn criticism from international news agencies like the Associated Press and The Times of Israel, who have stated they will not publish such altered images.
