Ex-AG Mandelblit Confronted in Netanyahu Trial Court

A confrontation erupted in court on Sunday when former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit arrived to testify in the trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Journalist Ayala Hasson, lawyer Kineret Brashi, and others present demanded answers from Mandelblit, but he refused to respond. During the incident, attendees accused Mandelblit, stating, "The judges say there is no bribery." Mandelblit reacted angrily, asking court security to "handle this matter." When pressed further, the former Attorney General stated, "I don't owe you an answer."

The confrontation occurred as Mandelblit began his testimony in the Netanyahu trial, having been summoned as a defense witness at the request of Prime Minister Netanyahu's lawyers, Amit Haddad and Noa Milstein. Mandelblit's testimony is expected to focus on the approvals he granted for investigations into Netanyahu and whether certain investigative actions were taken without his knowledge or approval. The defense lawyers are also anticipated to question him about the investigative "tactic" used against state witness Nir Hefetz.

The court incident recalled a separate event involving a civilian who approached Mandelblit during his tenure as Attorney General. In February 2020, lawyer Shira Spitz approached Mandelblit, who lived in her neighborhood, and said, "The case of the trials, shame." Following this remark, Spitz was taken for questioning by police, investigated under caution, and had her fingerprints taken. The case against her remained open for eight months until it was exposed by journalist Ayala Hasson, after which it was closed. The police and prosecution later faced criticism from Commissioner Judge David Rozen for their handling of the Spitz affair.

Mandelblit was summoned to testify in the Netanyahu cases years after he announced the indictment against the Prime Minister. Netanyahu's defense lawyers requested seven days for his testimony, not necessarily consecutive, though it remains unclear if the court will grant the full duration. Beyond the issue of investigation approvals, the defense is expected to ask Mandelblit to explain why, according to previous reports, he ordered the examination of the investigative tactic used against Nir Hefetz solely through documents, without interviewing the involved police officers.