Former IDF Chief Herzl Halevi Testifies in Tzachi Braverman Leak Interference Case

Herzl Halevi, former Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, testified to police on January 14 regarding the case involving Tzachi Braverman, former Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The case centers on allegations that Braverman attempted to obstruct an investigation into a classified intelligence leak to the German newspaper Bild by meeting with Eli Feldstein and informing him about the probe to halt it. The Attorney General has decided to indict Braverman, pending a hearing.

During his open testimony at the Lahav 433 police unit, Halevi recounted being informed by his assistant about a raw intelligence leak from a sensitive Hamas source and the initiation of an investigation to find the leak’s origin. He emphasized the operational concern that Hamas might identify and lose the source. Halevi stated he chose not to follow the investigation closely, trusting the professional teams handling it. He also noted that typically the Prime Minister’s office is not updated on such investigations unless there is a critical operational reason, which was not the case here.

Halevi addressed public criticism at the time accusing the IDF and Shin Bet of targeting Netanyahu’s circle, calling such claims absurd. He explained that intelligence documents are usually passed to the Prime Minister through the military secretary. When asked about his familiarity with Eli Feldstein, Halevi said he only had a brief conversation with Netanyahu about appointing a military spokesperson, recommending that the IDF spokesperson remain the sole liaison with military reporters, but Netanyahu did not act on this advice.

Previously, it was reported that Halevi and former Shin Bet head Ronen Bar were prosecution witnesses in a related case against Yonatan Orich, accused of leaking classified documents to Bild. Their testimonies highlighted the severe damage to national security and intelligence sources caused by the leak, strengthening the prosecution’s case against Orich.