Ex-AG Mandelblit Testifies in Netanyahu Trial, Admits to 'Serious Matters' He Didn't Approve

Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit concluded his testimony in the trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, following hours of cross-examination. Netanyahu's lawyer, Amit Haddad, focused on the approvals Mandelblit granted for investigative actions in the prime minister's cases, questioning whether the police conducted operations without his knowledge or against his directives. Mandelblit acknowledged that some investigative actions were not approved by him in hindsight, but stated he was unaware of any investigations commencing without his authorization. He specifically mentioned an eavesdropping operation on Netanyahu confidant Natan Eshel, which he "canceled" after it "infuriated" him, citing the sensitivity of listening to those close to the prime minister unless Eshel himself was linked to offenses.

Mandelblit also criticized a "flawed and improper" investigative tactic used on Nir Hefetz, a former Netanyahu advisor who became a state witness. He admitted he was unaware that prosecutor Yehudit Tirosh was present at the police meeting where the tactic was approved, explaining he avoided opening investigations against those involved to prevent harming the ongoing legal proceedings. "I prioritized the proper management of this case over exhausting the law and opening an investigation against them," he stated regarding the investigators involved in the tactic. He also conceded that "improper things were certainly done" concerning state witnesses, though he hesitated to label them "illegal."

Haddad attempted to demonstrate that the police carried out investigations in Netanyahu's cases without the necessary approvals from the Attorney General. Mandelblit countered that he did not need to approve every single action, but rather requested to be informed of the main operations due to the sensitivity of investigating a prime minister. When asked by Judge Rivka Friedman Feldman if any suspicions began to be investigated without his approval, he replied, "I am not aware of such a thing." However, Mandelblit did confirm that there were "serious actions" he did not approve in hindsight. The dispute also extended to the documentation of approvals, with Haddad claiming Mandelblit deliberately avoided complying with a court order to provide the approval documents, while Mandelblit argued that, in his legal opinion, written approval was not required for initiating an investigation against the prime minister.

The testimony also touched upon Case 1000, concerning allegations of gifts, and the scope of Mandelblit's approval for the police to investigate suspicions of receiving benefits. Mandelblit stated he approved investigating suspicions of receiving gifts from businessmen, including foreign tycoons, distinguishing between systematic gift-taking and isolated past incidents. He also gave verbal approval to investigate Yair Netanyahu's use of a hotel suite belonging to businessman James Packer. Haddad alleged that numerous investigative actions in Case 4000 were conducted without Mandelblit's approval, a claim Mandelblit denied. The lawyer recalled Mandelblit previously calling Case 4000 a "central case" and a "locomotive."