Israel Police Never Closed Protocol Forgery Investigation, Source Claims

A source familiar with the investigation into alleged protocol tampering in the Prime Minister's office stated that the case was never closed by the police, contradicting claims made by the Likud party. The Likud had asserted that the allegations, raised by former Military Secretary Maj. Gen. (res.) Avi Gil regarding protocol changes after October 7, were a "false blood libel" previously investigated by the police two years ago, which concluded with a recommendation to shelve the case. However, the source claims that the police found sufficient evidence to potentially indict, with the decision resting with the State Prosecutor's Office. The source also stated there was no recommendation to close the case.

Avi Gil revealed in a recent interview that he had encountered changes in Prime Minister's office protocols after October 7. He explained his decision to speak out after months of silence was due to reaching a "red line." Gil recounted an incident where a stenographer reported that the then-Chief of Staff asked her to alter the recorded time of a conversation he had with Prime Minister Netanyahu on October 7 from 6:40 AM to 6:29 AM. The Chief of Staff allegedly insisted the earlier time was correct, despite the stenographer's correction.

The Movement for Quality of Government had previously called for an investigation into these suspicions. In response, the Likud party reiterated its stance that the matter was already investigated and recommended for closure. Tzachi Braverman, the former Chief of Staff, was questioned under caution in November 2024 by Lahav 433 regarding his alleged involvement in changing the recorded time of the conversation between Netanyahu and Gil on the morning of October 7. Braverman denied the allegations, stating it was a correction of a clerical error.