Ex-Attorney General Mandelblit Testifies Again in Netanyahu Trial

Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit is testifying for a second time in the Jerusalem District Court as part of the "Cases of the Thousand" trial, at the request of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's defense team. Mandelblit began his testimony on Monday, just two weeks before elections. He stated during his testimony, "It could be that I said the police acted behind my back in the cases." Netanyahu entered the courtroom during the proceedings. The defense team requested Mandelblit testify for approximately seven days, followed by cross-examination by the prosecution. This is a highly unusual event, where a former Attorney General is required to testify in a case he handled during his tenure. While former Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein previously testified in a case, it was in his capacity as Netanyahu's private attorney. The defense team intends to question Mandelblit primarily on the issue of whether the necessary approvals under the "Basic Law: The Government" were obtained to open an investigation against a prime minister, while the legal counsel and prosecution maintain all actions were lawful. Mandelblit had initially requested to postpone his testimony until November, expressing surprise at being summoned at the last minute during the holiday period. He cited his new role as dean of the law faculty at the Academic College of Ramat Gan, which required extensive preparation for the academic year's start, as a reason for his request. The judges denied his request, and he proceeded with his testimony on Monday. Separately, regarding the Netanyahu trial, the defense is requesting Mandelblit testify before the elections, and Herzog stated that if he needs to intervene after the elections, he will do so.