Netanyahu Trial Judge Presses Former AG Mandelblit on Investigation Approvals

During the ongoing trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem's District Court, Judge Moseh Bar-Am pressed former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit regarding approvals granted during the investigation into the prime minister. The judge questioned whether a general approval to investigate Netanyahu extended to gifts from businessmen, to which Mandelblit initially responded affirmatively, stating "yes, everything." However, when pressed by Bar-Am on the broadness of such a sweeping approval, Mandelblit clarified that it depended on evidence exceeding reasonable suspicion. Judge Bar-Am expressed concern that this approach seemed too general, allowing police to investigate "whatever they want." Mandelblit explained that a general permit existed for the matter, which had not been canceled, and that updates were provided periodically. He noted that regarding Natan Eshel specifically, there was an expectation that approval would be sought beforehand for concrete actions. Mandelblit further elaborated that approval was granted for investigating a subject, not for every single action, and that the issue of champagne and cigars was not something he had considered or specifically approved at the time, believing it to be sporadic rather than a criminal matter. Judge Bar-Am voiced his confusion, stating, "I don't understand what you thought, what the investigators understood," and questioned whether the investigators might overstep their bounds. Mandelblit maintained that if suspicion of widespread receipt of benefits arose, a permit for such a subject was issued, and he believed the investigators understood this. The judge concluded by asking if it would not have been better to document this more explicitly and systematically.