Ex-AG Mandelblit Admits Error in Netanyahu Trial Testimony

During his cross-examination in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trial, former Attorney General Dr. Avichai Mandelblit initially stated he did not recall approving an investigation into suspicions regarding Yair Netanyahu's hotel stay, reportedly arranged by businessman James Packer. However, upon returning from a recess, Mandelblit reversed his testimony, admitting, "I made a mistake." He clarified that he had indeed authorized investigations into the receipt of benefits from businessmen.

The defense, represented by lawyer Amit Haddad, confronted Mandelblit with this inconsistency, particularly in contrast to his earlier stance on the "cigar affair." Haddad presented details of police investigative actions from 2016, questioning whether official approval was given to probe the alleged hotel hosting of Yair Netanyahu, which was reportedly linked to Packer. Haddad suggested this was a secondary line of inquiry pursued by police after initial leads proved fruitless.

Mandelblit initially recalled the issue of the Prime Minister's son being hosted at a hotel, possibly in the United States, but could not remember authorizing its investigation, stating he did not believe it warranted examination at the time. After a brief recess requested by the defense, Mandelblit announced he had remembered new details, stating, "Benefits from businessmen, I approved checking that." When Haddad pointed out his previous denial, Mandelblit responded, "I made a mistake."

Mandelblit asserted that he had not spoken with anyone during the break and that the change in his testimony was solely due to recalling the information. Haddad then pressed him on the legal distinction between a general approval to investigate benefits and a specific approval for a particular event. The defense lawyer argued that Mandelblit's revised testimony highlighted inconsistencies, especially when compared to his position on the "cigar and champagne affair," where he had stated that initial information did not justify an investigation.

Haddad's defense strategy aims to demonstrate that police investigations against Netanyahu exceeded the mandate granted by Mandelblit. The questioning around the hotel hosting incident added another layer to the debate over whether each new investigative avenue required specific approval or if a general authorization sufficed for investigators.