Jerusalem Court Orders Israeli Legal Advisor to Appear in Netanyahu Trial

The Jerusalem District Court has ordered Gali Baharav-Miara, the Israeli government's Legal Advisor, to appear in person at a hearing in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial. The court scheduled the session for November 18th at 9:30 AM, overriding Baharav-Miara's objection to attending. Judges Rivka Friedman Feldman, Moshe Baram, and Oded Shaham deemed her personal participation essential for direct and effective discussion with the decision-making authority.

In their decision, the judges stated that Baharav-Miara's personal presence "carries additional value" and is necessary for a "meaningful dialogue" where the responsible party can "listen to matters directly and comment on them when needed." The court noted that the hearing could be held behind closed doors if necessary. The specific issues to be discussed with the Legal Advisor were not detailed in the ruling.

Baharav-Miara had previously refused the judges' request, arguing that senior prosecutors from the State Attorney's Office were authorized to represent her. She expressed willingness to engage in direct dialogue regarding a potential settlement, including through mediation by Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

The court's decision comes amid repeated calls from the judges for a settlement in Netanyahu's trial. They had previously suggested dropping the bribery charge in Case 4000 twice, but the Legal Advisor has not yet responded. Netanyahu's lawyer, Amit Haddad, had also requested Baharav-Miara's summons, asserting the court's authority to compel her attendance.

The judicial panel aims to expedite the trial and conclude it before Judge Friedman Feldman's term ends in March 2028. Former Legal Advisor Avichai Mandelblit testified earlier, expressing uncertainty about whether he had explicitly approved the use of the term "bribery" during the investigation into Case 4000.