Ex-AG Mandelblit Testifies on Netanyahu Trial, Cites Unease Over Journalist's Police Ties

Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit testified for the fourth time in the trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addressing his relationship with journalist Ben Caspit and suspicions of leaks from law enforcement. During cross-examination by Netanyahu's lawyer, Amit Haddad, Mandelblit stated he did not authorize police to use a journalist as an "extended arm" for investigations. He expressed discomfort with Caspit's perceived influence over police actions in the Netanyahu investigations, stating, "I felt that instead of the police investigating, he was operating the police."

Mandelblit also confirmed suspicions during the relevant period that information was being leaked from police or prosecution to pressure him to advance the prime minister's investigation, though he lacked proof. He described his approach as cautious, with particular oversight on the case, and denied succumbing to pressure, asserting he acted in the opposite direction by being very careful and not rushing to allow the investigation to proceed early on.

The testimony touched upon the timing of investigative actions in Case 1000, concerning gifts from businessmen Arnon Milchan and James Packer. Haddad alleged some actions were taken before the required approval, a claim Mandelblit could not precisely confirm due to memory limitations but recalled the subjects discussed. He detailed the process leading to the investigation's opening, including an initial review, testimony from Hadas Klein, and subsequent discussions.

Mandelblit refuted the claim that every investigative action required his personal approval, clarifying that central actions needed his sign-off while the accompanying prosecution was to handle others. He also addressed the wording of the warning given to Netanyahu in Case 4000, regarding his dealings with Shaul Elovitch, explaining that the initial warning did not explicitly include the word "bribery" to allow for discretion between bribery and fraud charges.

Further points of contention included defense claims that the indictment aimed to cause a change in government, which prosecutor Yehudit Tirosh denied, and Mandelblit's background discussion with journalist Dana Weiss in January 2019, which he confirmed was planned and legitimate for explaining processes, though he may have edited content before publication. He also acknowledged it would have been problematic not to be informed about a senior investigator's romantic relationship with Judi Nir Mozes, who was in conflict with Sara Netanyahu, during investigations into Case 2000 and the Residence Affair.