Mandelblit Testimony Halts Amid Fierce Exchange Between Netanyahu Lawyer and Prosecutor

The testimony of former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit was unexpectedly halted on Sunday during a heated exchange between Amit Haddad, the attorney representing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and prosecutor Yehudit Tirosh. Judge Rivka Friedman-Feldman interrupted the proceedings and called the lawyers into her chambers.

The confrontation erupted after Haddad accused Mandelblit of being misled and claimed that crucial information was withheld from him during the investigations. Haddad told Tirosh, "I understand the distress, there is someone sitting here for whom this is the case of her life." Tirosh retorted loudly, "My life is my family. We are all prosecutors doing our job. We are not the defendants here."

Mandelblit addressed claims that the prosecution deliberately concealed information from him, stating, "Since this is repeated again and again, a thesis is presented that constantly repeats itself, that the harm is intentional and malicious. The State Prosecutor's Office intentionally hid information from the Attorney General." However, he added, "I would be very surprised if this turns out to be true. I am not aware of a situation where things were hidden from me. It could be, but I am not yet convinced of this."

Haddad pressed Mandelblit, suggesting he was "set up" and that information was not disclosed to him. Mandelblit responded that the prosecution guided the cases and expressed "full confidence" in its staff, calling the prosecution "my long arm." He reiterated that he would be surprised if the claims of intentional concealment were true, deeming such an act serious if proven.

During his testimony, Haddad also questioned Mandelblit about possible past remarks regarding journalists Gidi Weitz and Raviv Drucker, asking if he had called them "great enemies of the Prime Minister." Mandelblit responded, "It could be" to both instances. Earlier, after an exchange with a Channel 14 reporter, the judge had advised Mandelblit to try and ignore such interactions. The hearing is taking place at the Jerusalem District Court as part of the second day of his testimony.