Former Senior Officer Accuses Israeli Police and Prosecution of Mismanaging Netanyahu Trial Witness Security

Retired Deputy Commissioner Omri Adika sharply criticized the Israeli Police and the prosecution for their handling of witness security in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trial. In an interview with journalist Eli Tsipori on Galei Yisrael radio, Adika revealed that witnesses in the trial were automatically assigned the highest threat level, level 6, resulting in security costs amounting to millions of shekels. He accused the police of serious misconduct and waste, stating that investigations would uncover shocking details about how millions were squandered without justification.

Adika expressed skepticism about the existence of any concrete threats against the witnesses, suggesting that the extensive security measures were primarily intended to bolster the prosecution's case by empowering the witnesses. He also confirmed that some threat level designations were fabricated, calling it "IsraBluff." Specifically, he called for an inquiry into who decided on the threat levels, who budgeted the security expenses, and why the police, rather than the National Security Ministry's dedicated unit, were responsible for protecting the witnesses.

The controversy arises amid broader public debate over the security arrangements for Netanyahu's trial witnesses, including the high-profile case of Yair Netanyahu's security costs in Miami. Adika's statements add a new dimension to the scrutiny of the trial's management and raise questions about the integrity and efficiency of witness protection protocols in politically sensitive cases.