Political Commentator Yaakov Bardugo Condemns Judges' Proposal to Drop Key Bribery Charge in Netanyahu Trial

Dramatic reports from the Jerusalem District Court revealed that judges overseeing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trial proposed removing the central bribery charge in Case 4000, related to the Bezeq-Walla affair. This development has sparked a major uproar across Israel's political and media landscape.

Yaakov Bardugo, a political analyst and media figure, opened his radio program on Galei Yisrael with a sharp critique of the judicial and prosecutorial leadership behind the indictment. He described the judges' proposal as a "shattering event" and recalled the heavy public cost endured over nearly a decade, including nine years of investigations, five turbulent election cycles, 98 lengthy court sessions, and a deeply divided Israeli society.

Bardugo argued that the judges effectively accepted the defense narratives of Netanyahu and former Bezeq executive Shlomo Filber, rather than the prosecution's version. He called this a complete collapse of the prosecution's core thesis. Bardugo also demanded a public reckoning and investigation into those who led the judicial and prosecutorial system during this period, naming former State Attorney Shai Nitzan, former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, and prosecutors Liat Ben Ari and Yehudit Tirosh as responsible figures who must be held accountable.

The commentator's remarks reflect widespread controversy and calls for accountability following the court's unexpected move to potentially drop the bribery charge, which has been central to the high-profile corruption trial against Netanyahu.