Former Netanyahu Chief of Staff Denies All Charges in Secret Night Meeting Scandal

A conditional indictment has been filed against Tzachi Braverman, former chief of staff to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on suspicion of fraud and breach of trust related to a clandestine late-night meeting at the Kirya military headquarters. Braverman vehemently denies all allegations, describing them as fabrications and minimizing the role of Eli Feldstein, Netanyahu's former security spokesman, whom he labeled a casual visitor rather than a key player. The meeting in question took place on a Saturday night at 11:37 p.m. in a basement parking lot with no phone reception, where Braverman summoned Feldstein amid an investigation into the leak of classified military documents to the German newspaper Bild.

The leak involved Feldstein passing sensitive intelligence to the press, bypassing Israeli censorship and endangering IDF intelligence sources. Following the leak, the Shin Bet launched an investigation to identify the source, requiring formal approval from Netanyahu to use countermeasures against suspects. Braverman was tasked with obtaining Netanyahu's signature but delayed the approval, prompting him to call Feldstein for a secret meeting. Police phone tracking confirms Braverman's journey to the Kirya and the meeting's timing.

During his police interrogation, Braverman repeatedly denied Feldstein's claims that he showed him a list of names and discussed the investigation, calling Feldstein manipulative and a liar. He also defended the practice of removing phones during meetings at the Kirya as routine. The investigation by Lahav 433 led to the indictment recommendation. Braverman's testimony contrasts sharply with Feldstein's, who admitted to the meeting and described Braverman's assurance that he could "turn off" the investigation. The case remains under judicial review, with Braverman facing serious charges if the indictment is confirmed.