מנדלבליט מעיד בפעם השישית: זעמתי כשגיליתי על ההאזנות לנתן אשל ללא אישורי

Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit testified for the sixth time in the trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating he was angered upon discovering wiretaps on Natan Eshel, a close associate of the Prime Minister, which he had ordered stopped. Mandelblit expressed that the wiretaps were unprecedented and should have been brought to his attention beforehand. He emphasized the sensitivity of monitoring individuals involved in political and state affairs without suspicion of criminal activity.

Netanyahu's lawyer, Amit Haddad, questioned Mandelblit about the wiretaps and other investigative actions in Cases 1000 and 2000, suggesting that some investigations were initiated without the Attorney General's approval. Haddad argued that these actions were part of a broader investigation against the Prime Minister. Mandelblit explained that public officials, especially the Prime Minister, cannot have suspicions lingering over them and that investigations are necessary to either dismiss or establish such suspicions, even if they initially seem far-fetched.

The prosecution, represented by Alon Gildin, objected to delving into the details of the wiretaps, arguing Mandelblit was unaware of them when they occurred. The judges questioned Haddad's insistence on this line of questioning, but he maintained it was part of a larger picture. Prosecutor Gildin also warned that excessive scrutiny of past investigative actions could negatively impact future prosecutions.

The defense had initially estimated Mandelblit's testimony would span seven sessions, but Haddad later indicated a need for about ten additional days of testimony, without providing a reason. During the first day of testimony, Prosecutor Yonatan Tadmor acknowledged that while an Attorney General's testimony is unusual, the prosecution did not object due to the case's circumstances, noting that questioning a prosecutor is an extreme exception that could lead to personal attacks and deter internal discussions.