Mandeblit asked not to testify on the scheduled date – this is the court's response

Former Attorney General Avichai Mandeblit requested to postpone his testimony in the October 7 leaders' trial from October to November or December 2026, citing preparations for the opening of the new law faculty at the Academic College of Ramat Gan. Judge Rivka Friedman-Feldman denied the request, ruling that the reasons do not justify changing the dates, but left the door open for reconsideration if the defense proposes alternative witnesses.

Former Attorney General Prof. Avichai Mandeblit petitioned the Jerusalem District Court to postpone his testimony in the leaders' trial, scheduled for October 2026, to November or December 2026 – after the elections for the 26th Knesset. Mandeblit, who serves as dean of the law faculty at the Academic College of Ramat Gan, justified the request by citing preparations for the opening of the academic year at the new faculty on November 1, including recruiting faculty, training administrative staff, admitting students, and finalizing curricula. As a supporting argument, he noted the reserve duty of Dr. Ruth Gan, a faculty member assisting in establishing the faculty. Judge Rivka Friedman-Feldman denied the request today (Thursday), ruling that the reasons do not justify changing the dates. However, she left the door open for reconsideration if the defense team announces alternative witnesses who could testify on those dates. The implication: the original schedule for testimony in October remains in effect, unless alternative witnesses are proposed.