Netanyahu's Ex-Lawyer Claims He Worked For Free, Was Betrayed
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Former Netanyahu lawyer Navot Tel-Tzur revealed he worked for the Prime Minister for five months without pay and felt betrayed by Netanyahu's actions, including his handling of legal cases and attacks on the justice system. Tel-Tzur also criticized Netanyahu's pardon request as a bid for a stay of proceedings without admitting guilt. He also noted a falling out with former client Aryeh Deri, whom he sees as having changed his political stance.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Former lawyer Navot Tel-Tzur claims he worked for PM Netanyahu for free.
- Tel-Tzur feels betrayed by Netanyahu and criticizes his legal defense.
- He calls Netanyahu's pardon request a bid for a stay of proceedings.
- Tel-Tzur notes a rift with former client Aryeh Deri.
- He warns another Netanyahu term could be irreversible.
Navot Tel-Tzur, a prominent Israeli lawyer who previously represented Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the "Cases of the Thousand," revealed that he worked for Netanyahu for approximately five months without payment. In an interview on Guy Peleg's podcast for ALL IN, Tel-Tzur stated that the debt remains unpaid to this day, though he chose not to sue.
"I didn't insist on payment, and he didn't pay. My firm absorbed the cost, and I absorbed it personally," Tel-Tzur said, adding that his sanction was simple: "If they don't pay me, I'm not there." However, for Tel-Tzur, the money was only part of the story. The real breaking point came in January 2023.
When asked if Netanyahu and Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri might see him as a traitor, Tel-Tzur responded sharply, "I might be seen as a traitor, but I think they are betraying us. He betrayed me, he betrayed you, he betrayed the hostages, he betrayed everyone. And he endangers us every day." Tel-Tzur clarified that his attitude towards Netanyahu is not personal and could change if the Prime Minister takes steps he believes would put the country back on track.
Tel-Tzur also offered a rare glimpse into the legal defense proceedings, stating that the Netanyahu family was involved in managing the legal maneuvers. "They are present and interfere in the proceedings. There were confrontations, both about the way and the style," he said. He further claimed that the Prime Minister was very close to a plea deal at one point, but "it was proven there was an obstacle from the house." Tel-Tzur added that even if he had been fully paid, he would have eventually resigned due to Netanyahu's attacks on the justice system.
Netanyahu's request for a presidential pardon also drew sharp criticism from Tel-Tzur. He argued that "what he is asking for is not a pardon, it is a request for a stay of proceedings," and that Netanyahu was approaching the wrong authority. Tel-Tzur explained that a pardon request should include an admission of responsibility, whereas in this case, "he admits nothing and wants them to apologize to him." Nevertheless, Tel-Tzur stressed that he does not rule out a settlement that would end the trial, provided it is done legally and includes an admission of responsibility.
Towards the end of the interview, Tel-Tzur also discussed his former client, Aryeh Deri, stating they are currently estranged. He said Deri, once "pragmatic" and "moderate," had changed his ways and tied his political fate to Netanyahu's. Tel-Tzur concluded with a warning about upcoming elections, suggesting another term in the current format could be "irreversible" for him, but he remains optimistic despite everything.
