Israel's Legal Advisor Refuses Secret Meeting with Judges in Netanyahu Trial
Translated & summarized from Mignews by baba
Israel's Legal Advisor Gali Baharav-Miara declined a request for a private meeting with judges in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's "Case 4000" trial. The State Prosecutor stated her presence would breach procedure, though she remains open to plea deal discussions with the defense. Netanyahu's lawyer argued the court could compel her attendance. The prosecution also noted Netanyahu ignored a prior offer from President Herzog to negotiate a settlement.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Legal Advisor Gali Baharav-Miara refused a closed meeting with judges in Benjamin Netanyahu's "Case 4000" trial.
- The State Prosecutor cited procedural violations for the Legal Advisor's personal attendance at private consultations.
- Baharav-Miara is still willing to discuss a potential plea deal directly with Netanyahu's defense attorneys.
- Netanyahu's lawyer, Amit Hadad, stated the court can legally summon the Legal Advisor to a hearing.
- The defense proposed the meeting due to disagreements surrounding the bribery charges against Netanyahu.
- Benjamin Netanyahu previously ignored President Yitzhak Herzog's offer to negotiate a settlement.
Israel's Legal Advisor to the Government, Gali Baharav-Miara, has rejected a proposal to hold a closed-door meeting with the judges presiding over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial. State Prosecutor Yehudit Tirosh explained that Baharav-Miara's personal attendance at such private consultations would violate established procedures, as the case is being handled by designated prosecutors. However, Tirosh noted that the Legal Advisor remains open to direct dialogue with the defense attorneys to discuss a potential plea deal.
Netanyahu's legal team disagreed with this stance. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's lawyer, Amit Hadad, asserted that the judicial panel has the authority to compel the Legal Advisor's attendance at a hearing. The initiative for the closed-door meeting came from the defense teams representing both Netanyahu and Shaul Elovitch, the former owner of the telecommunications company Bezeq, who are involved in "Case 4000." This case involves bribery charges against the Prime Minister, who vehemently denies all accusations.
The prosecution also highlighted previous attempts to resolve the protracted legal dispute. According to the prosecution, Benjamin Netanyahu did not respond to an offer from President Yitzhak Herzog to initiate settlement negotiations before the stage of considering a potential pardon request.
Mentioned
