Ex-AG Mandelblit Testifies on Police Ties to Journalist Ben Caspit
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit testified in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trial regarding police contacts with journalist Ben Caspit. Mandelblit stated he was unaware of police using Caspit to gather information on Netanyahu and had requested the police stop contact. He expressed concern that the journalist might be "operating the police" rather than the police investigating.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Former AG Mandelblit testified in Netanyahu's trial about police-journalist ties.
- Mandelblit denied knowledge of police using journalist Ben Caspit for intel.
- He requested police cease contact with Caspit, citing a "feeling" of role reversal.
- The defense claims police officer Eran Kamin used Caspit for information gathering.
- Mandelblit distinguished between independent journalism and police using reporters.
Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit testified on Wednesday for the fourth day in the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trial, addressing allegations of police connections with journalist Ben Caspit. Netanyahu's defense attorney, Amit Hadad, questioned Mandelblit about whether the police used Caspit to gather information on the Prime Minister without proper authorization.
Hadad presented claims regarding the actions of police officer Eran Kamin, who allegedly maintained contact with Caspit as early as November 2015, before Mandelblit assumed his role. The defense lawyer asserted that Kamin met with Caspit and asked him to hire a private investigator, collect information on Netanyahu, speak with various sources, and record individuals without their knowledge.
Mandelblit stated that he was unaware of such activities and had not been informed of the journalist being used in this manner. He clarified his stance on using journalists in investigations, distinguishing between independent journalistic work and police utilizing a journalist as an "extended arm" to potentially circumvent the requirement for approval to open an investigation against a prime minister.
When asked if he had previously requested the police to cease contact with Caspit, Mandelblit confirmed he had. He explained his reasoning: "I had a feeling that instead of the police investigating, he was operating the police." The defense team sought to examine the police's conduct in the early stages of information gathering concerning Netanyahu and the extent of the Attorney General's oversight.
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