Ex-AG Mandelblit Testifies Fourth Time in Netanyahu Trial

Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit testified on Wednesday for the fourth time in the trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Jerusalem District Court. The testimony began with clarification regarding Mandelblit's approval for the investigation in Case 1000. Netanyahu's lawyer, Amit Haddad, questioned the former AG about obtaining testimony from journalist Ben Caspit without his explicit approval and about reports that police officer Eran Kamin asked Mandelblit to employ a private investigator. Mandelblit stated that if a police officer seeks to investigate matters concerning the Prime Minister, the approval of the Attorney General is required, especially if suspicion has not yet been established. He added that investigators should not use journalists as their "long arm" for investigations, though journalists may conduct their own inquiries. Mandelblit confirmed he was unaware and had not authorized police to pressure Caspit for information on Netanyahu.

During his testimony, Mandelblit also stated that the Prime Minister was not warned during his investigation that he was suspected of bribery. He explained that during discussions about filing the indictment, no one raised the issue of Netanyahu not being investigated for bribery, despite him ultimately being charged with bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. Netanyahu's lawyer, Amit Haddad, highlighted the wording of the warning during Netanyahu's first interrogation in Case 4000, which stated, "You requested and took undue benefits from Shaul Elovitch in connection with your public role and in doing so acted to promote the interests of the benefit provider in severe conflict of interest and breach of trust." Haddad emphasized that the word "bribery" was not used and questioned the phrasing "in connection with the role."

Judge Moshe Bar-Am asked Mandelblit if the "convoluted wording" used in the Prime Minister's interrogation was appropriate. Mandelblit explained that he wanted to leave room for his discretion, distinguishing between bribery and breach of trust, and that the phrasing was more suited to breach of trust, from which other conclusions could be drawn. The defense estimates Mandelblit's cross-examination will continue for seven more sessions. Since the start of the trial concerning the "Cases of the Thousand," the defense team has argued that the former Attorney General did not provide the legally required approval to open an investigation against Netanyahu, and has requested the indictment be dismissed on grounds of justice.