Ex-AG Mandelblit Testifies in Netanyahu Corruption Trial

Netanyahu's defense team, led by lawyers Amit Hadad and Noa Milstein, plans to question Mandelblit over seven scheduled court sessions. The defense's strategy focuses on proving that police investigations in Cases 1000, 2000, and 4000 were initiated without the legally required prior approval of the Attorney General, as mandated by Basic Law: The Government. They argue that some investigative actions exceeded the scope of Mandelblit's authorizations and that several approvals were merely verbal and undocumented, a practice previously criticized by the judges.

The questioning is also expected to cover the legality of investigative tactics, including the use of spyware, the treatment of state witness Nir Hefetz, the wiretapping of Netanyahu associate Natan Eshel, and alleged pressure on Mandelblit from the State Attorney and other officials. While the prosecution and the Attorney General's Office maintain that all procedures were conducted lawfully, the defense aims to use the testimony to support their claim of "defense from justice."

The timing of Mandelblit's testimony is highly notable, as it is scheduled to conclude just five days before the Knesset elections on October 27. Mandelblit had requested to postpone his appearance due to academic commitments, but the court denied his request.