Eitan Cabel Expresses Frustration During Netanyahu Trial Testimony

Former Member of Knesset Eitan Cabel testified in Case 2000 of the Netanyahu trial on Monday, with his questioning focusing on his connections to Noni Mozes, publisher of Yedioth Ahronoth, and the drafting of the "Israel Hayom Law." Attorney Amit Haddad, representing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, presented a contradiction between Cabel's police testimony and his court testimony regarding who drafted the proposed law, which aimed to limit the free distribution of widely circulated daily newspapers. Cabel initially suggested an external law firm might have been involved in drafting the bill, but later testified he worked on it with a lawyer from the Economic Committee. Cabel stated he misspoke to the police.

Haddad also questioned Cabel about how the bill was handled in his office, referencing testimony from one of Cabel's aides who stated the draft law was unusually kept in an envelope inside a drawer. When asked if this was standard procedure, Cabel responded that his personal handling was democratic and that he did not recall the specific detail, acknowledging the aide saw the document. Haddad presented further correspondence where the aide expressed concern about manipulation regarding the bill serving "Noni's gang" and a "free newspaper" serving "underground agendas."

Cabel stated he respected his aides but that their role was to see one side of the map. Haddad countered that the bill originated externally and was emailed to Cabel before legal review, a claim Cabel denied, asking if he had anything to hide. Cabel later addressed criticism of "Israel Hayom," explaining that the newspaper's reduction in advertising cut into democracy, a situation he foresaw. He compared this to Channel 14, calling it "the television of only one person against democracy."