Ex-Attorney General Mandelblit to Testify in Netanyahu's Trial

Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, who filed the indictments against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the "Cases of the Thousand," is set to testify on Sunday at the Jerusalem District Court. Netanyahu's defense attorneys summoned Mandelblit, aiming to support their claim of "defense from justice," arguing that the investigations against the prime minister were conducted without the necessary approvals from the Attorney General.

Netanyahu is expected to attend the hearing. Throughout the defense's presentation, Netanyahu's lawyers have called investigators involved in the cases, seeking to prove that investigative actions against the prime minister began before Mandelblit's approval was granted. The defense will also argue that some investigative actions exceeded the scope of approvals given by the Attorney General, contrary to legal requirements.

A central issue in Mandelblit's testimony will be the oral approval he gave for Netanyahu's investigation, rather than a written one. Mandelblit reportedly granted this approval during a meeting with investigators, without it being formally documented. The judges have previously criticized Mandelblit and the prosecution for this method of approval, given the sensitivity of investigating a sitting prime minister.

Netanyahu's defense is also expected to question Mandelblit about an affidavit he submitted to the High Court of Justice (Bagatz) concerning the approval process in the case. Another matter likely to arise is the investigative tactic used on Nir Hefetz, Netanyahu's former advisor and a state witness. The defense requested seven hearing sessions for Mandelblit's testimony, with the possibility of the judges shortening this duration due to the focused nature of the expected questions. The defense's latest requested date for the testimony is October 22, five days before the elections.