Smotrich Claims Netanyahu Trial Evidence Proves Judicial System Bias

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich sharply criticized former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit following Mandelblit's testimony in the trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Smotrich asserted that Mandelblit's testimony supports his long-held claims of judicial misconduct and flawed investigations concerning Netanyahu. "Mandelblit's testimony in the Netanyahu trial proves what we have been claiming for years," Smotrich stated. He alleged that after failing to unseat the right-wing government electorally, the left wing "mobilized the justice system to persecute Netanyahu, to fabricate cases against him illegally, and to bring him and the right down from power."

Smotrich also pointed to Mandelblit's alleged admission that he did not review all the evidence before filing the indictment. "Mandelblit essentially admitted today that he filed an indictment against a sitting prime minister, and dragged the State of Israel into years of chaos without even reviewing the evidence," the minister claimed. He further contended that Mandelblit's testimony revealed additional deficiencies in the Netanyahu investigations, including serious offenses during the probe, the initiation of the investigation without proper authorization, and the use of improper investigative tactics, all aimed at pressuring witnesses and ousting the right-wing government.

Connecting these claims to his legislative agenda, Smotrich emphasized the necessity of judicial reform. "This is why we are so insistent on reforming the Israeli judicial system," he said. Smotrich declared his intention to continue these reform efforts with Member of Knesset Simcha Rothman in the next term, stating, "We are determined, with God's help, to continue in the next term what MK Rothman and I started this term. We will clean house, reform the Israeli judicial system, and strengthen democracy."