Jerusalem Court Orders Attorney General to Attend Netanyahu Trial Hearing

Judges at the Jerusalem District Court have ordered Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara to personally attend a special hearing concerning the continuation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trial, despite her explicit opposition to the move. The court stated that her personal presence is necessary for a direct dialogue with the official authorized to make decisions regarding the trial's progression.

Baharav-Miara had indicated that she believed her attendance was unnecessary, arguing that senior prosecution staff could represent her and convey messages. However, the judges countered that her personal appearance would add significant value, allowing for a more productive discussion where the decision-maker could directly hear and respond to arguments.

This decision comes in the wake of recent developments in the trial, notably the testimony of former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit. During cross-examination, Mandelblit had difficulty recalling specifics about the approval of investigations in the "Cases of the Four Hundred" (תיקי האלפים), including whether he explicitly authorized the bribery investigation against Netanyahu in Case 4000. His testimony raised further questions about the investigation's conduct, while the defense has also raised claims of procedural flaws.

The judges had previously expressed skepticism about proving the bribery charge in Case 4000 and suggested the prosecution consider withdrawing it, but the prosecution did not do so. The defense teams for Netanyahu and co-defendant Shaul Elovitch had previously proposed summoning Baharav-Miara for a closed-door meeting, a possibility the judges had already considered.

Judges Oded Shacham and Rivka Friedman-Feldman had previously highlighted the importance of direct dialogue with the person responsible for managing the prosecution, especially given the unusual nature of the proceedings. Despite the prosecution's stance that senior staff could act on her behalf, the judges insisted that the presence of prosecution representatives alone was insufficient.

The hearing, scheduled for Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at 9:30 AM, aims to explore various options for managing and advancing the trial with the authorized representatives of the parties. The format of the hearing, whether open or closed to the public, was not specified in the court's decision. The ruling does not constitute a determination on dropping charges or a plea deal, but rather an insistence on a direct conversation about the trial's future.