Ex-AG Mandelblit Snaps During Netanyahu Trial Cross-Examination
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit testified in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trial, becoming agitated when questioned about whether investigations proceeded without his approval. Mandelblit stated new suspicions require separate authorization and acknowledged some matters might have been investigated without it. His cross-examination by Netanyahu's lawyer, Amit Haddad, also involved disputes over the release of court documents, with the defense alleging prosecutorial misconduct. Mandelblit is appearing as a defense witness, a significant shift from his role in indicting Netanyahu.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Former AG Avichai Mandelblit testified in PM Netanyahu's trial, expressing frustration over questioning about investigation approvals.
- Mandelblit stated new suspicions require separate authorization and acknowledged some matters may have been investigated without it.
- Netanyahu's lawyer Amit Haddad presented documents showing the court ordered the release of approvals over prosecution objections.
- Mandelblit could not recall verifying all details in a signed memo, which the defense highlighted as a discrepancy.
- The defense accused the prosecution of attempting to mislead the court regarding investigation approvals.
- Mandelblit is testifying as a key defense witness, seven years after indicting Netanyahu.
Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit testified on Sunday in the trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, becoming visibly frustrated during cross-examination by Netanyahu's attorney, Amit Haddad. The core of the dispute centers on whether police conducted investigations into Netanyahu without Mandelblit's proper authorization.
Mandelblit clarified that new suspicions require separate approval, and acknowledged he might have previously stated that some matters were investigated without explicit consent. He emphasized that discovering a new offense during an investigation does not automatically grant police permission to pursue it without reapplying for approval. During a heated exchange, Mandelblit exclaimed, "I'm taking fire from all sides," expressing frustration with the pressure and scrutiny over his oversight.
Haddad presented court documents showing that the prosecution had initially opposed releasing approval documents, but the court rejected their stance and ordered the disclosure. Mandelblit confirmed the court's decision to override the prosecution's objection. The defense also questioned Mandelblit about a memo he signed on January 5, 2021, regarding his consent for investigations under Basic Law: The Government. While Mandelblit stated he read the document before signing, he could not recall if he verified its details with the original sources, a point the defense sought to exploit as a potential discrepancy.
Prosecutor Liat Tirosh objected to Haddad's line of questioning, arguing it strayed from relevant topics and delved into prosecutorial decisions. Judge Moshe Bar-Am intervened during exchanges with Tirosh, and Haddad accused the prosecution of attempting to mislead the court by submitting the memo instead of the original approvals. The defense intends to argue bad faith by the prosecution.
Mandelblit is testifying as a key defense witness, a role he takes seven years after announcing the indictment against Netanyahu in the "Cases of the Century." The defense plans to question him over seven non-consecutive days, weeks before the upcoming Knesset elections, focusing on allegations that critical investigative actions against the Prime Minister were conducted without his official approval or exceeded authorized limits.
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