Ex-AG Mandelblit Admits Background Briefing to Journalist in Netanyahu Trial
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit testified in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trial, admitting to a background briefing with journalist Dana Weiss in January 2019. He stated such briefings are legitimate if they don't analyze evidence. Mandelblit also suggested he may have been the source for a report claiming a message sheet against him came from Netanyahu's circle. The defense lawyer questioned the timing and nature of Mandelblit's interactions with the press.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Former AG Avichai Mandelblit admitted briefing journalist Dana Weiss on Netanyahu case handling.
- Mandelblit testified in the Jerusalem District Court as part of PM Benjamin Netanyahu's trial.
- The briefing concerned Case 1000, where Netanyahu is accused of receiving benefits from businessmen.
- Mandelblit stated background briefings are legitimate if they don't analyze evidence.
- He suggested he may have also been the source for a report about a message sheet against him.
Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit testified on Wednesday in the Jerusalem District Court as part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trial. Mandelblit, called by the defense, was questioned by Netanyahu's lawyer, Amit Haddad, regarding Case 1000, the "gifts file." In this case, Netanyahu is accused of fraud and breach of trust for allegedly receiving benefits worth hundreds of thousands of shekels from businessmen Arnon Milchan and James Packer.
Mandelblit acknowledged holding a background briefing with Channel 12 journalist Dana Weiss about the handling of the Netanyahu cases, which he stated was the source for a report she aired in January 2019. Haddad noted that the defense had not received similar details. Mandelblit responded that the briefing was conducted with his spokesperson's knowledge and coordination, adding that it is legitimate, and sometimes necessary, to speak with journalists on background to explain processes, as long as it does not involve analyzing testimonies or evidence.
Haddad suggested that Mandelblit might have altered content in an interview before its publication and that his meeting with Weiss on the street was not coincidental. Mandelblit agreed that his spokesperson had suggested the street meeting, admitting it might not have been the best idea. Haddad pointed out that the resulting report was very favorable to Mandelblit, unlike the 315 items against Netanyahu.
Mandelblit also suggested he might have been the source for a claim in the same report that a message sheet against him originated from Netanyahu's circle. The article also briefly mentions Itamar Ben-Gvir stating that someone has not spoken to him since.
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