Ex-AG Mandelblit Testifies for Netanyahu Defense in Corruption Trial

Seven years after indicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit is set to testify on Sunday in the Jerusalem District Court. Unusually, Mandelblit, who was instrumental in bringing the "Cases of the Thousand" charges, will appear as a defense witness at the request of Netanyahu's lawyers. The core of his testimony will address a key defense argument: whether police conducted investigative actions against Netanyahu without Mandelblit's approval, contrary to law. The defense is expected to question Mandelblit about approvals he granted to investigators, some of which were verbal and given during meetings, not in formal written decisions. Judges have previously criticized the manner in which such approvals were granted.

The dispute intensified following testimony from police investigators, including Tzachi Havkin, who claimed that actions taken during the investigation of Case 1000 exceeded the scope of the approved investigation. However, the prosecution rejects these claims, asserting that all investigations were conducted lawfully. They contend that records from Mandelblit's meetings prove he authorized the examination of the gifts affair. Another issue expected to arise is the investigative tactic used against state witness Nir Hefetz and Mandelblit's handling of that situation. Mandelblit has been summoned for seven days of testimony, though the duration is not yet confirmed. His testimony could be significant in clarifying the defense's claims about the conduct of investigative authorities. However, even if procedural flaws are revealed, it would not automatically lead to the dismissal of the indictments.