Ex-AG Mandelblit Testifies in Netanyahu Trial, Recalls 'Absurd' Claims
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit testified in Benjamin Netanyahu's trial, addressing his approvals for investigations into Cases 1000 and 2000. Mandelblit stated that certain claims, particularly those involving Odelia Carmon, seemed "absurd" to him. He explained that for senior public officials, even seemingly minor allegations require examination to clear their name. Mandelblit also pushed back against defense claims of misleading information, stating he did not recall any deliberate deception.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Former AG Avichai Mandelblit testified in Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial.
- Mandelblit called claims involving Odelia Carmon "quite absurd" during his testimony.
- He explained that senior officials' allegations require examination to avoid leaving a "cloud" over them.
- Mandelblit denied recalling any deliberate attempts to mislead him during investigations.
- The judges instructed the defense to focus on Mandelblit's approval decisions, not investigator conduct.
Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit testified on Thursday in the trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, facing questions from Netanyahu's lawyer, Amit Haddad, regarding approvals for investigations into Cases 1000 and 2000. The judges emphasized that Mandelblit should focus on whether he granted approvals, not on the later conduct of police investigators.
Haddad pressed Mandelblit about alleged recordings, asking about "recordings of conversations with Noni Mozes and Netanyahu" and others, including "S.S. and A.H. (Ari Harow)." Mandelblit stated he did not recall specific details about these recordings but acknowledged that tapes and transcripts existed. He expressed that certain claims, such as those involving Odelia Carmon, seemed "quite absurd" to him at the time.
During the testimony, Haddad presented documents and cited reports, including one from 2019 by Dana Weiss, suggesting that Mandelblit initially viewed some matters as trivial or gossip that would not warrant investigation if not for Netanyahu's position. Mandelblit responded that he did not recall the exact wording but explained his distinction between a "check" and a "criminal investigation." He clarified that for senior public officials, it is sometimes necessary to examine allegations even before reasonable suspicion has formed, to avoid leaving a "cloud" over their heads, citing the Prime Minister as a prime example where even seemingly "absurd" claims require examination.
Mandelblit also expressed impatience with Haddad's lengthy introductions to questions, stating they often presented incorrect premises. He reiterated that while he might have provided a list of names, his primary recollection was not demanding specific names but rather approving the examination of five subjects, one of which was receiving benefits from businessmen. He denied recalling any misleading transcripts or that any attempt was made to deceive him.
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