Smotrich Accuses Former AG Mandelblit of Dragging Israel into Chaos

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich launched a sharp attack on former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, following Mandelblit's testimony in the Netanyahu trial. Smotrich claimed that Mandelblit indicted a sitting prime minister without reviewing the evidence, thereby "dragging the State of Israel into years of chaos." "Mandelblit's testimony in the Netanyahu trial proves what we have been claiming for years," Smotrich stated. He accused the left-wing of enlisting the justice system to pursue Netanyahu and attempt to unseat the right-wing government after failing to do so electorally.

Smotrich further alleged that Mandelblit's testimony indicated irregularities in the investigation, including a lack of required approvals for its initiation and the use of improper investigative tactics. "Everything was done to apply pressure, extort witnesses, and unseat the right-wing government," he said. The minister linked these claims to his plans to continue judicial reforms in the next term, alongside MK Simcha Rothman. "We will clean house, fix the Israeli justice system, and strengthen democracy," Smotrich declared.