Families Demand Fraud Charges Against Netanyahu Advisers Over Hostage Case Leak
As the Israeli government advances plans to establish a political inquiry into the October 7 massacre, families of hostages and fallen soldiers have petitioned the Supreme Court to add fraud and breach of trust charges against Eli Feldstein and Yonatan Orich in the "Bild" leak affair. The families argue that these advisers to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not only committed security offenses and obstructed justice but also abused their public roles to manipulate public discourse and incite against the hostages' families.
The petition, filed by attorney Kobi Sodri, claims Feldstein and Orich acted as public officials and thus should be held accountable for fraud and breach of trust. The families assert the leak of a Hamas-related intelligence document to the German newspaper Bild was part of a broader campaign to silence criticism of the government's hostage policy and portray opponents as aiding Hamas. They accuse the two of sowing division, applying psychological pressure on families, and politically pressuring critics of the government.
Rubi Chen, father of fallen soldier Itai Chen, said the families feel directly harmed beyond the security offenses alleged. He emphasized their ongoing struggle to access investigation materials and their hope that the court will clarify why his son was returned after 760 days. Eli Elbag, father of kidnapped observer Liri Elbag, added that public officials incited against families during their fight for hostages' release.
The petition coincides with the upcoming 1,000-day anniversary of the October 7 attack, with families planning a day of protest and remembrance. Last month, a severe indictment was filed against Orich for leaking classified information, destroying evidence, and harming state security. Feldstein faces similar charges, including obstructing justice. The case involves the transfer of a Hamas document from a military intelligence source to the Prime Minister's Office, which was later leaked to Bild after Israeli censorship blocked its local publication.
The Shin Bet recently allowed Orich limited access to the Prime Minister's Office despite the charges, but prosecutors are expected to seek his removal. The affair has intensified scrutiny of Netanyahu's handling of the hostage crisis and the government's internal conflicts over the issue.
