Ex-AG Mandelblit Faces Tough Questions in Netanyahu Trial

Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit continued his testimony on Sunday in the trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, facing pointed questions from Judge Moshe Bar-Am regarding approvals granted to investigators in Case 1000. The discussion centered on the scope of the authorization to investigate suspicions of receiving benefits from businessmen and the circumstances under which additional approval was required from Mandelblit.

Judge Bar-Am pressed Mandelblit, asking if the approval was a "sweeping authorization to investigate the Prime Minister." Mandelblit responded that the authorization was not unlimited, stating it depended on evidence of "significant benefits" from businessmen. The judge questioned the broad authority given to the police, asking if it was appropriate to investigate "any person and any matter regarding the receipt of gifts" when it concerned the Prime Minister.

Mandelblit explained that a preliminary review could be opened upon suspicion and that status meetings were intended to update him. However, a dispute arose over whether prior approval was needed for further investigative actions. While Judge Bar-Am clarified that significant actions required explicit approval, Mandelblit disagreed with the presentation, asserting that the approval was for examining the "subject" and was never halted, and that investigators did not need to seek approval for every action.

Netanyahu's lawyer, Amit Haddad, accused Mandelblit of contradicting himself "a thousand times." When asked about specific actions requiring further approval, Mandelblit stated investigators needed to present suspicion against a specific person and request to deepen the investigation within the approved subject. He noted that initially, information about cigars and champagne did not warrant a deep investigation, but later, additional information changed the picture.

Another issue raised concerned wiretaps on Natan Eshel, which Mandelblit claimed he had not approved. He stated there was an expectation that police would approach him before tapping Eshel. Judge Bar-Am questioned if the general authorization was too vague, suggesting a more concrete approval might be needed to prevent accidental violations. Mandelblit reiterated that status meetings were for this purpose and that investigators should have approached him beforehand when findings indicated extensive benefits.

Haddad also questioned Mandelblit about evidence collection in Case 1000, specifically regarding Hadas Klein, assistant to businessman Arnon Milchan, being asked to obtain documents under the pretense of inventory checks. Mandelblit stated he was unaware of these details. When asked if he knew the documents documented purchases by Milchan and James Packer for their homes, not necessarily direct gifts to the Netanyahu family, Mandelblit replied, "I understood that it was supposed to reflect what was delivered to the Prime Minister and his wife. I live by Hadas Klein's testimony."

Towards the end of the hearing, Mandelblit explained his opposition to investigators framing the suspicion as bribery, fearing it would prematurely direct him toward a more severe offense. He preferred to focus on facts and used the term "integrity" to allow for a broader examination of suspicions, believing the case was more suited to a breach of trust offense than bribery from the outset. The hearing concluded and is set to resume the following day.