Israeli Court Orders Legal Advisor to Attend Netanyahu Trial Hearing on Potential Plea Deal

The Jerusalem District Court has ordered Gali Baharav-Miara, the Legal Advisor to the Israeli Government, to appear before the judges next week for a session discussing developments in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trial and the possibility of a plea deal. This decision comes despite Baharav-Miara's assertion that her personal attendance was unnecessary. The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, November 18th, at 9:30 AM, and may be held behind closed doors, with all involved parties participating.

The judicial panel, consisting of Judges Rivka Friedman Feldman, Moshe Baram, and Oded Shaham, stated that Baharav-Miara's presence would add value to the discussion, allowing for direct dialogue with the decision-making authority and enabling her to address questions as needed. The court considered and rejected holding a closed session with only the legal advisor, emphasizing the necessity of all parties' participation.

This order follows Baharav-Miara's refusal to attend, as the prosecution had indicated that the legal team managing the case was authorized to represent her position. She receives regular updates on the trial's progress and sees no procedural need for her personal appearance. State Attorney Yehudit Tirosh conveyed this stance to the court, noting that the legal advisor's presence alongside the prosecution team and senior officials involved in the case deviates from standard prosecutorial procedures. However, Tirosh confirmed that the legal advisor's office remains open to direct dialogue regarding a potential agreement with Netanyahu.

Tirosh also mentioned that Baharav-Miara had positively responded to an initiative by Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog to open a dialogue channel, but Netanyahu had not responded to the proposal, which was made after consultations with the prosecution team. Netanyahu's lawyer, Amit Haddad, insisted on Baharav-Miara's attendance, arguing the court has the authority to summon her and that her presence is crucial given the nature of the issues at hand.

A key issue before the court concerns Case 4000, where Netanyahu is accused of granting regulatory favors to the telecommunications company Bezeq in exchange for positive media coverage on the Walla news site. The judges have previously recommended that the prosecution consider dropping the bribery charge in this case on two occasions. This matter, along with the prospects of a plea deal, is expected to be a central focus of the upcoming hearing.

The legal advisor has not yet announced a final position on the judges' recommendation regarding the bribery charge. The judges are aiming to push the parties towards a negotiated resolution to end the trial, which has been ongoing for years. This effort is part of the court's broader aim to expedite proceedings and conclude the trial before the term of the presiding judge, Rivka Friedman Feldman, ends in March 2028. The judges have repeatedly suggested the use of criminal mediation to reach an agreement between the prosecution and the defense, given the trial's complexity and duration. The summons of the legal advisor is considered an unusual step, as the court seeks direct discussion with the public prosecutor's decision-maker regarding past recommendations and the possibility of a settlement with the Prime Minister.