The gap between the letter and the evidence: the new claim that embarrasses the prosecution

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's attorney, Amit Hadad, demanded in the Jerusalem District Court that former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit be questioned about the information he had when approving state witness agreements, focusing on the agreement with Nir Hefetz and allegations of improper pressure. Hadad pointed to discrepancies between an official letter denying pressure and information revealed in court.

In a hearing held this morning (Wednesday) at the Jerusalem District Court, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's attorney, Amit Hadad, argued that the court should allow the defense to question former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit about the information he had when approving the state witness agreements. Hadad focused on the agreement with Nir Hefetz, a key state witness in Case 4000, and asked: "Shouldn't we ask the attorney general who approved a state witness with Hefetz, did you know or was it hidden from you?" The attorney referred to an official letter attributed to Mandelblit, stating that no pressure was exerted on the witnesses, and argued that he should be confronted with this document. The defense claims these are flaws of error and deception, which could establish grounds for dismissal of the proceedings on the basis of the defense of entrapment. The judges asked the attorneys to focus their questions.