Mandelblit Defines Police Limits in Trial

Avichai Mandelblit, Israel’s former attorney general, returned to the Jerusalem District Court on Monday to clarify the boundaries of investigative authority during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s trial. Testifying for the defense, Mandelblit addressed whether police investigators acted beyond the permissions he granted when they began their inquiries.

The current hearing focuses on Case 1000, which involves allegations that Netanyahu received valuable gifts from media executives Arnon Milchan and James Packer. Defense counsel Amit Hadad argued that investigators overstepped by questioning Hadas Klein, Milchan’s assistant, and Yonatan Hasson, Packer’s driver, about these gifts without seeking separate consent from Mandelblit.

Mandelblit rejected the argument that each individual action required a new approval. He stated that his authorization covered the broader suspicion that Netanyahu received substantial benefits from businessmen. According to Mandelblit, this permission remained in effect for the duration of the investigation, meaning police did not need to return to him for every specific step they took.

Judge Moshe Bar-Am asked the witness how investigators were expected to distinguish between actions covered by the general authorization and those requiring additional consent. Mandelblit explained that the subject matter of the approval set the boundaries. He added that only significant developments would necessitate further consultation with his office.

Earlier in the week, on Sunday, Mandelblit discussed a separate wiretapping operation involving Natan Eshel, a close aide to Netanyahu. Mandelblit testified that he ordered police to stop listening to Eshel’s calls once he learned of the operation. Although investigators had a court warrant, Mandelblit argued that the sensitivity of Eshel’s role required prior approval because of his proximity to the prime minister’s personal and political affairs.

Netanyahu’s trial has been ongoing since May 2020. The proceedings cover three distinct cases involving alleged dealings with media owners and the receipt of gifts. Netanyahu faces charges of fraud and breach of trust in all three matters. In Case 4000, he also faces a bribery charge related to alleged regulatory benefits given to Bezeq in exchange for favorable coverage on Walla. The prime minister maintains he is not guilty of any wrongdoing.