Ex-AG Mandelblit Testifies in Netanyahu Trial, Cites Secret Police Probes

Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit testified Sunday at the Jerusalem District Court in the trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, at the request of Netanyahu's defense team. Netanyahu, who arrived during the hearing, observed part of the proceedings. Under questioning by defense attorney Amit Haddad, Mandelblit, who indicted the prime minister in Cases 1000, 2000, and 4000, admitted he did not follow every procedural step. "I did not attend police interrogations and was not informed of every action," Mandelblit stated, explaining that while the police conducted primary actions he had validated, he had not approved any specific action. He conceded he might have said police investigations were conducted without his knowledge. Haddad responded, "There are colossal omissions here, and you are held responsible!"

Mandelblit recounted a police operation to wiretap Netanyahu's former chief of staff, Nathan Eshel, which he learned about only after the fact. "I was told an action had been taken, which outraged me. I requested its cancellation, and it was done," he affirmed, stating he wanted to preserve the dignity of the target and avoid problems, deeming the action unacceptable due to his lack of prior notification. He stated he had prepared for his testimony by reviewing online articles and documents, speaking to no one.

The defense aims to question Mandelblit for approximately seven days, followed by a cross-examination by the prosecution. It is highly unusual for a former attorney general to testify in a case they handled. The defense is particularly focused on the alleged absence of required authorizations for opening an investigation into a sitting prime minister, a claim the prosecution disputes, asserting all procedures were legal. Mandelblit's request to postpone his testimony to November, citing a last-minute summons during the holidays and his new role as dean at Ramat Gan Academic College, was denied by the judges.

Following the hearing, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana wrote to President Yitzhak Herzog, urging him to grant Netanyahu's pardon request, filed seven months prior. Ohana cited Mandelblit's testimony, stating it revealed that even remaining charges were based on illegal investigative actions conducted without the former AG's knowledge or approval. He highlighted that Mandelblit had not read the allegations concerning 315 instances of favorable media coverage for Netanyahu in the amended indictment and did not recall signing it himself. Ohana argued this conduct, representing "a series of omissions, failures, and violations of the law," necessitates a pardon. He also criticized the Pardon Department and the government's legal advisor, suggesting "the system is determined to end the Prime Minister's political career." Citing his legal experience, Ohana concluded that granting a pardon is the "just, courageous, and appropriate decision," lamenting the judicial system's slowness.