Ex-AG Mandelblit Testifies in Netanyahu Corruption Trial

Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit testified Sunday at the Jerusalem District Court as part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's defense in his corruption trial. Netanyahu himself attended the hearing, refusing to answer journalists' questions and stating, "The truth will come out."

Prosecutor Yonatan Tadmor described Mandelblit's testimony as highly unusual but said the prosecution did not object due to the case's specific circumstances. "A prosecutor's testimony is an exception to exceptions," Tadmor stated, noting that court rulings caution against using such testimony as a personal weapon or revealing internal discussions that could deter future investigations. He added that the prosecution's team did not oppose the testimony "due to the unique circumstances of the case regarding his (Mandelblit's) approval to open the investigation, and this does not constitute a change in our policy."

Mandelblit confirmed his deep involvement in the investigation against Netanyahu but admitted that some actions did not receive his explicit approval. Among these was the wiretapping of Natan Eshel, which he ordered stopped. He emphasized that he did authorize the examination of suspicions regarding the receipt of benefits from businessmen.