Israel Attorney General Rejects Judges' Request to Meet

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara rejected a proposal from judges presiding over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's criminal trial to meet with her behind closed doors. Baharav-Miara and State Attorney Amit Aisman argued that senior prosecutors are authorized to represent the Attorney General and that her personal appearance would violate established prosecution work procedures.

The judges suggested the meeting to ensure direct communication, expressing concern that prosecutor Yehudit Tirosh might not be properly conveying their messages to the Attorney General. This request followed testimony from former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, who admitted that a 2018 caution given to Netanyahu was ambiguous, leading the defense to claim procedural flaws in the bribery charges related to Case 4000.

Defense attorney Amit Hadad argued that the court possesses the authority to summon Baharav-Miara regardless of her willingness to attend. While the current request was a suggestion, the court may still issue a binding summons to compel her attendance. Meanwhile, attorney Eyal Besserglick accused the prosecution of intentionally delaying proceedings and refusing standard criminal mediation.

Despite the refusal to meet, the prosecution reiterated its openness to direct dialogue regarding a potential plea bargain or settlement. They noted that they had previously accepted a mediation offer from President Isaac Herzog, which Netanyahu ignored.