State Service Commissioner Delays Decision on Tzachi Braverman's Suspension Two Months After Hearing
Nearly two months after Doron Cohen assumed the role of State Service Commissioner and about a month since the suspension hearing for Tzachi Braverman, no decision has yet been made regarding his suspension. Braverman, former Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, faces criminal charges related to the so-called "night meeting" case at the Kirya parking lot. The standard procedure calls for an immediate suspension decision following such hearings, but sources within law enforcement suggest Cohen is hesitant due to the government's stance on the matter.
In June, the State Service Commissioner’s office conducted a Zoom hearing to consider suspending Braverman from public service after the indictment was filed against him. Previously, a hearing was held under the former commissioner, who did not issue a decision. The prosecution has requested a six-month suspension following the indictment. In May, the prosecution informed Braverman’s legal team that the Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and State Attorney Amit Isman were considering criminal charges against him for fraud, breach of trust, and obstruction of justice, pending the hearing.
Earlier reports revealed that the disciplinary division recommended suspending Braverman for six months, which also blocked his appointment as Israel’s ambassador to the UK. The allegations stem from an October 2024 incident where Braverman, aware of a covert investigation into leaking classified information to Germany’s Bild newspaper, urgently met with Eli Feldstein, a former communications advisor to Netanyahu, at the Kirya base late at night. During the meeting, Braverman read out names from a list, including that of the suspect Ari Rosenfeld, and questioned Feldstein about their involvement. Feldstein denied any connection. The investigation later became public with the arrests and indictments of Feldstein, Rosenfeld, and senior Netanyahu advisor Yonatan Urich in the same case.
The State Service Commissioner is now expected to make a final decision on Braverman’s suspension following the recent hearing.
