Israeli Judges Order Attorney General to Appear at Netanyahu Trial

The judges presiding over the corruption trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have ordered Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara to appear in court next week. This decision comes after her office informed the court on Wednesday that she would not attend, despite the judges' request. The court stated that her personal appearance would add value for a productive, two-way dialogue.

Prosecutor Adv. Yehudit Tirosh had previously conveyed to the court that Baharav-Miara's office was "ready to hear the court." However, they also clarified their position, stating that "a situation where the Attorney General appears in the courtroom is, from our perspective, an incorrect process. The door of the Attorney General and the State Prosecutor is always open, and therefore we responded to the President's request (for dialogue between the Attorney General and Netanyahu). The defendant chose not to respond to the President's request."

A senior judicial source described the judges' move as highly unusual, telling Kan News that "the very statement that the judges considered bringing the Attorney General to the discussion is a very tough hint to the prosecution. I am not aware of such a decision; this is an unusual move never seen before."

Judge Oded Shacham explained the intention to summon Baharav-Miara, stating, "If you want to conduct a dialogue, then you must conduct it with her. The defense may have kicked down an open door; we considered such a move even before. We have already stated how we see things." Presiding Judge Rivka Friedman-Feldman added, "Why can't she be summoned? There are many unusual things in this case."