Ex-AG Mandelblit Admits Background Talk with Journalist on Netanyahu Probes
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit admitted to a background briefing with Channel 12 journalist Dana Weiss regarding the process of the investigations into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This admission occurred during Mandelblit's cross-examination in court and led to a heated confrontation with Netanyahu's lawyer, Amit Haddad. Haddad argued that the defense has been denied access to similar internal details that were apparently shared with the journalist.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Former AG Avichai Mandelblit confirmed a background briefing with journalist Dana Weiss on Netanyahu's investigation process.
- Netanyahu's lawyer Amit Haddad accused Mandelblit of providing confidential details to the press.
- Haddad argued the defense struggles to obtain internal documents shared with the journalist.
- Mandelblit also testified about his discomfort with journalist Ben Caspit's role in the investigation.
- The court session involved heated exchanges between Mandelblit's defense and prosecution representatives.
Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit acknowledged on Wednesday during his cross-examination at the Jerusalem District Court that he held a background briefing with Channel 12 journalist Dana Weiss. In this meeting, he provided details about the process that led to the investigations into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The revelation sparked a heated exchange when the Prime Minister's lawyer, Amit Haddad, presented a January 2019 report. Haddad argued that the report contained confidential internal details from discussions in the Attorney General's office, information that the defense has struggled to obtain.
Mandelblit's testimony also touched upon his discomfort with journalist Ben Caspit's involvement and allegations of circumventing investigation approvals through the testimony of Hadas Klein. Haddad questioned Mandelblit's reservations about the relationship between Caspit and police investigators. Mandelblit expressed a feeling that Caspit was directing the police investigation rather than the other way around, describing it as "uncomfortable."
The proceedings escalated when a prosecutor objected to Haddad's line of questioning, citing journalistic privilege and source protection. Haddad reacted angrily, accusing the prosecutor of disrupting the cross-examination until Judge Rivka Friedman-Feldman intervened. The discussion then shifted to Klein's testimony, with Haddad claiming she informed Caspit about gifts and that the police used this to bypass Mandelblit's initial refusal to approve an investigation into the gifts.
Mandelblit confirmed he recalled the gift issue but not the exact timing of approvals. He also addressed internal discussions referred to as "the tip of the iceberg," explaining they aimed to assess if there was a basis for further significant findings beyond what was already discovered. The defense, however, contended there was no substantial "iceberg" behind these moves.
The confrontation peaked when Haddad presented the Channel 12 report, which detailed Mandelblit's account of the events leading to the Netanyahu cases, including specifics from confidential internal meetings in April 2016. Mandelblit confirmed the information came from his background talk with Weiss. Haddad expressed outrage that the journalist received such details directly while the defense faced arduous legal battles for the same documents.
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