Ex-AG Mandelblit Testifies on Netanyahu Investigation Approval
Translated & summarized from JDN by baba
Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit testified in court Tuesday regarding the investigation into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Mandelblit stated he verbally approved the investigation, despite defense claims of insufficient written authorization. He also addressed the collapse of Case 4000 and the examination of media coverage, asserting he relied on investigation plans presented to him. The hearing saw heated exchanges, leading Mandelblit to briefly leave the courtroom.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Former AG Avichai Mandelblit testified he verbally approved the investigation of Prime Minister Netanyahu.
- Netanyahu's attorney argued that required written authorization for the investigation was lacking.
- Mandelblit stated he still does not acknowledge that Case 4000 has collapsed.
- The hearing addressed the examination of alleged biased media coverage and control.
- Mandelblit asserted he relied on investigation plans and recommendations from his teams.
- He briefly left the courtroom after heated exchanges with the prosecution.
Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit testified in the Jerusalem District Court on Tuesday, facing cross-examination by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's attorney, Amit Haddad. The hearing focused on the legal basis for investigating the prime minister, with Haddad presenting documents and arguing that the required written authorization was absent, citing vague protocol language.
Haddad questioned how a general statement like "that's the next thing" could constitute valid legal approval. Mandelblit responded that he had verbally approved the investigation, explaining his desire for flexibility. "What is written, I say again, perhaps it should have been different, perhaps more should have been revealed. On the other hand, it is also clear from this what I remember, that I approved investigating the Prime Minister under caution," he stated.
Regarding Case 4000, which the defense claims has collapsed, Mandelblit commented, "I know what the judges said, and I still don't acknowledge that the case has collapsed." A significant portion of the discussion revolved around the alleged biased coverage and media control, with Haddad accusing law enforcement and the Attorney General's office of failing to conduct basic checks of website content before making decisions.
Judges Oded Shahar and Rivka Friedman-Feldman intervened, asking Mandelblit if he had given direct instructions on how to examine media coverage and if he had reviewed the findings. Mandelblit clarified that he relied on the investigation plan and recommendations from the prosecution and investigation teams, stating, "I am not an investigator. What investigators bring me, an investigation plan, that's how it works. The investigation material presented to me showed that there was involvement of the Prime Minister in political matters and in the interests of business owners."
Following heated exchanges and objections from prosecutor Yehudit Tirosh, Mandelblit briefly left the courtroom.
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