Netanyahu Lawyer Challenges Ex-AG Mandelblit on Investigation Approvals

During the trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit faced intense questioning from Netanyahu's lawyer, Amit Haddad, on Monday. Haddad focused on approvals granted for the investigation into Case 2000 and actions taken in Case 3000, which is not part of Netanyahu's indictment.

Mandelblit asserted that the decision to investigate Netanyahu under caution in Case 2000 was made earlier, but he could not provide documented approval prior to January 5, 2017. When presented with a document contradicting his earlier statements, Mandelblit acknowledged the discrepancy, stating, "This is what I remember, but it contradicts." Judge Moshe Bar-Am questioned which statement was accurate, to which Mandelblit replied, "What I just said."

The discussion also covered the wording of the caution given to Netanyahu during his interrogation. Haddad argued that the caution did not accurately reflect suspicions related to conversations with Arnon Mozes, publisher of Yedioth Ahronoth. Mandelblit agreed it was "not fitting" and admitted he was "not aware of it" at the time.

Regarding Case 3000, Mandelblit confirmed he never authorized an investigation into Netanyahu for this affair and denied ever approving the recruitment of his associate David Shimron as a state witness against the Prime Minister. He emphasized that investigations concerning the Prime Minister generally require his personal approval.

Haddad presented previous testimonies from individuals interrogated in Case 3000, including David Sharon, who claimed he was told during questioning, "Bring any piece of information about the Prime Minister or Mr. Steinitz... we will know how to deal with you and we will know how to ease things for you." Mandelblit stated he did not authorize questioning a suspect in another case about Netanyahu before receiving approval for the Prime Minister's investigation.