Mandelblit's Body Language Suggests Strain During Netanyahu Trial Testimony

Avichai Mandelblit, the former Attorney General, exhibited noticeable physical behaviors during his seventh day of testimony in the trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Throughout his cross-examination by attorney Amit Haddad, Mandelblit was observed repeatedly touching his face, scratching his chin, holding his neck, looking down, and hunching over the witness stand. These actions, coupled with facial redness and a request for a break, suggest potential physical or emotional strain from the prolonged testimony.

Early in the proceedings, Judge Moshe Bar-Am inquired about Mandelblit's well-being, offering him breaks if needed. Mandelblit initially responded he was fine, but as Haddad began questioning the wording of warnings given to Netanyahu during early interrogations, Mandelblit's actions became more pronounced. Haddad noticed this and asked if he wanted to pause, which Mandelblit then requested.

Behavioral experts suggest that repeated touching of the face, chin, or neck can be a form of self-regulation, often occurring when someone is experiencing cognitive load, discomfort, or stress. These movements are often unconscious and can happen while trying to concentrate or recall details. The timing of these gestures is significant, as Mandelblit struggled at times to reconstruct events from nearly a decade prior, including investigation approvals and warning formulations.

At one point, when asked if he had reviewed all the warning notices given to Netanyahu, Mandelblit stated, "I don't remember, it doesn't seem to me that I reviewed every warning." Later, during a discussion about the decision to question Netanyahu under caution in Case 2000, questions arose about when the approval was granted and documented. Haddad presented a document from January 5, 2017, indicating Mandelblit had decided to question Netanyahu in Case 2000, but Mandelblit's physical reactions, including scratching his chin and looking down, were noted.

Judge Bar-Am emphasized that approving an investigation of a prime minister under caution is a significant matter that should be documented. Mandelblit stated he believed the decision was made but couldn't recall a prior approval for questioning Noni Mozes. After further documents were presented, he clarified that the formal approval was in the protocol from January 5, 2017, but the decision itself likely formed earlier. He admitted he was trying to reconstruct the events from memory.

Later in the testimony, while comparing warning notices in Cases 1000 and 4000, Mandelblit was seen hunching forward, hugging himself, and resting his elbows on the stand. He then scratched his head and alternately held his neck and chin. This self-hugging posture can indicate physical withdrawal, discomfort, fatigue, or a need for self-regulation. The combination of these repeated physical patterns, face touching, neck holding, postural changes, and looking down, along with the request for a break, supports the interpretation of strain or discomfort, though specific feelings cannot be definitively determined from body language alone.

Even after a subsequent break, Mandelblit's physical behaviors continued, including repeated nose scratching, eye rubbing, and a hunched posture, suggesting ongoing fatigue or physical strain.