Former Israeli Attorney General Shai Nitzan Criticized for Shielding Prosecution from Oversight

The final episode of the investigative series "The Lawyers' Revolt" focuses on the Israeli State Prosecution under former Attorney General Shai Nitzan, examining how it became resistant to external oversight and wielded unprecedented political power. The episode traces Nitzan's tenure from the 2005 Gaza disengagement, where he enforced a harsh crackdown on opponents including special courts and juvenile detentions, to controversies surrounding selective enforcement and protection of insiders within the legal system.

The series highlights the case of former senior district prosecutor Ruth Doth, where Nitzan reportedly reprimanded investigators and demanded apologies, fueling perceptions of double standards. A central conflict involved Hila Gerstel, appointed as the State Prosecution's internal oversight commissioner, whose tenure ended amid fierce opposition led by Nitzan and the prosecutors' organization, underscoring the prosecution's resistance to accountability.

The program also revisits the Zadorov case, alleging Nitzan attempted to alter forensic testimony to align with the prosecution's narrative and obstructed the promotion of a key forensic witness. The eventual acquittal of Zadorov in a retrial is presented as evidence of systemic failure without subsequent introspection.

Former Deputy Head of the Police Investigations Department Moshe Saada accuses Nitzan of interfering with investigations and undermining the department to protect high-profile cases, notably those involving former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Saada claims that critical testimony about investigative misconduct was suppressed, which, if revealed earlier, could have dismantled the Netanyahu case.

Legal analyst Tamir Schneid summarizes the series by linking the empowerment of the judiciary by former Supreme Court President Aharon Barak, the institutionalization of prosecutorial power by Nitzan, and the decisive use of this power by former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit. The series closes with a democratic question about the public's ability to influence a legal system dominated by unelected lawyers who reject oversight, with commentator Yehuda Shapira suggesting reforms are necessary within the prosecution.