30 oct 2019
Chief Justice Esther Hayut
Responding to Justice Minister Amir Ohana's attack on the attorney general and the prosecution Tuesday, Hayut says 'We are all committed to stand firm and carry out our duties without fear of retribution'
Chief Justice Esther Hayut warned of politicizing the judicial system calling on those within it and those tasked with protecting it, to act responsibly.
One day after the unbridled attack by Justice Minister Amir Ohana on State Attorney Avichai Mandelblitt's office and the prosecution.
Supreme Court Chief Justice Esther Hayut responded to the ministers' harsh words by saying that never in Israel's democratic history has there been such an assault on the judicial system.
Without mentioning the minister by name, Hayut said "We are all committed to stand firm and carry out our duties without fear of retribution as those responsible for the rule of law and its protection".
Speaking in northern Israel, the chief justice said political influence in the legal system can undermine the independence of the judiciary and destroy public trust in it"
Hayut warned representatives of theIsrael Bar Association that attorneys may also be victimized.
"I have said in the past the importance of keeping the Bar free from political influence and when I say we must all stand strong I mean not only the courts but the Bar Association as well."
She went on to say that there should be no one immune to criticism and we can always try to do better but "we must also be aware that in the guise of legitimate criticism there might also be an attempt to de-legitimize the institutions needed to uphold our democracy and legal system".
Yesterday, minister Ohana lashed out at the prosecution and the Attorney General who are considering indictment of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on three counts of corruption.
Attorney General Mandelblitt said he regrets the ministers words but added "We will not be deterred from carrying out our duties faithfully."
Responding to Justice Minister Amir Ohana's attack on the attorney general and the prosecution Tuesday, Hayut says 'We are all committed to stand firm and carry out our duties without fear of retribution'
Chief Justice Esther Hayut warned of politicizing the judicial system calling on those within it and those tasked with protecting it, to act responsibly.
One day after the unbridled attack by Justice Minister Amir Ohana on State Attorney Avichai Mandelblitt's office and the prosecution.
Supreme Court Chief Justice Esther Hayut responded to the ministers' harsh words by saying that never in Israel's democratic history has there been such an assault on the judicial system.
Without mentioning the minister by name, Hayut said "We are all committed to stand firm and carry out our duties without fear of retribution as those responsible for the rule of law and its protection".
Speaking in northern Israel, the chief justice said political influence in the legal system can undermine the independence of the judiciary and destroy public trust in it"
Hayut warned representatives of theIsrael Bar Association that attorneys may also be victimized.
"I have said in the past the importance of keeping the Bar free from political influence and when I say we must all stand strong I mean not only the courts but the Bar Association as well."
She went on to say that there should be no one immune to criticism and we can always try to do better but "we must also be aware that in the guise of legitimate criticism there might also be an attempt to de-legitimize the institutions needed to uphold our democracy and legal system".
Yesterday, minister Ohana lashed out at the prosecution and the Attorney General who are considering indictment of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on three counts of corruption.
Attorney General Mandelblitt said he regrets the ministers words but added "We will not be deterred from carrying out our duties faithfully."
Yair Netanyahu
According to transcripts of Yair Netanyahu police interrogation released by Channel 12, PM's son also accused a former family aide turned state witness of killing an IDF soldier and disposing of the body
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's son lashed out at Israeli police, referring to them as the Nazi Gestapo, accused a senior Likud MK seen as his father’s political rival of rape and claimed a former family aide turned state witness killed an IDF soldier in the past. Yair Netanyahu made the allegations during an explosive interrogation that was part of one the prime minster’s corruption investigations, according to transcripts published Tuesday by Channel 12 television.
Netanyahu's son testified in Case 4000 - one of the three corruption investigations faced by the prime minister - which involves an alleged plan to ease regulations for telecommunications mogul and Bezeq chief Shaul Elovitch in return for positive coverage on his Walla! news website. Yair is investigated on suspicion that he had also accepted benefits from the businessman.
During the inquiry, he went on to accuse Likud MK Gideon Saar, Netanyahu's rival for the leadership of the party, alleging that he had raped his secretary and then gave her a senior position to silence her. "And you know the Gideon Saar story, but you don't investigate him because it's not interesting. "
According to transcripts of Yair Netanyahu police interrogation released by Channel 12, PM's son also accused a former family aide turned state witness of killing an IDF soldier and disposing of the body
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's son lashed out at Israeli police, referring to them as the Nazi Gestapo, accused a senior Likud MK seen as his father’s political rival of rape and claimed a former family aide turned state witness killed an IDF soldier in the past. Yair Netanyahu made the allegations during an explosive interrogation that was part of one the prime minster’s corruption investigations, according to transcripts published Tuesday by Channel 12 television.
Netanyahu's son testified in Case 4000 - one of the three corruption investigations faced by the prime minister - which involves an alleged plan to ease regulations for telecommunications mogul and Bezeq chief Shaul Elovitch in return for positive coverage on his Walla! news website. Yair is investigated on suspicion that he had also accepted benefits from the businessman.
During the inquiry, he went on to accuse Likud MK Gideon Saar, Netanyahu's rival for the leadership of the party, alleging that he had raped his secretary and then gave her a senior position to silence her. "And you know the Gideon Saar story, but you don't investigate him because it's not interesting. "
Gideon Saar
The more the investigators pressed the 28-year-old the more he erate he became during the course of the investigation, labeling police investigators as the "Nazi Gestapo and Stasi" - the official state security service of the East Germany. He also called the investigation a "dilusional witch hunt."
"This is a police state, mafia. Sorry, not the mafia, at least they don't involve women and children," he added.
The more the investigators pressed the 28-year-old the more he erate he became during the course of the investigation, labeling police investigators as the "Nazi Gestapo and Stasi" - the official state security service of the East Germany. He also called the investigation a "dilusional witch hunt."
"This is a police state, mafia. Sorry, not the mafia, at least they don't involve women and children," he added.
Nir Hefetz
The conversation than turned to Nir Hefetz, a former Netanyahu media advisor and close aide who signed a state's witness agreement granting him full immunity. Hefetz is expected to incriminate Netanyahu both in the illicit gifts affair (Case 1000) and in the Bezeq affair (Case 4000).
During the interrogation, the prime minister's son tried to distance himelf from the former Netanyahu family "confidant", saying that he was merely "paid to do his job."
Investigator: What do you think of Nir Hefetz, on a personal and professional level?
Yair: A scum bag and an extremely bad spokesman. I always told my parents to replace him. They agreed and searched for someone for a long time but couldn't find a qualified candidate. It wasn't urgent, just out of habit.
Yair then claimed that Hefetz killed an Israeli soldier and dragged his body to train tracks in order to get rid of it. "I also didn't know the story about the dead soldier. If we had known he killed the soldier and dragged his body, we would have not hired him," he said. "He used to bad-mouth us behind our backs, we didn't know about that ... That's your state witness."
The conversation than turned to Nir Hefetz, a former Netanyahu media advisor and close aide who signed a state's witness agreement granting him full immunity. Hefetz is expected to incriminate Netanyahu both in the illicit gifts affair (Case 1000) and in the Bezeq affair (Case 4000).
During the interrogation, the prime minister's son tried to distance himelf from the former Netanyahu family "confidant", saying that he was merely "paid to do his job."
Investigator: What do you think of Nir Hefetz, on a personal and professional level?
Yair: A scum bag and an extremely bad spokesman. I always told my parents to replace him. They agreed and searched for someone for a long time but couldn't find a qualified candidate. It wasn't urgent, just out of habit.
Yair then claimed that Hefetz killed an Israeli soldier and dragged his body to train tracks in order to get rid of it. "I also didn't know the story about the dead soldier. If we had known he killed the soldier and dragged his body, we would have not hired him," he said. "He used to bad-mouth us behind our backs, we didn't know about that ... That's your state witness."
Benjamin Netanyahu and Shaul Elovitch
The prime minster's son then went on a rant, accusing the left-wing and implying he is only being targeted due to his connection to Benjamin Netanyahu. "Shame on the police for investigating me, and your state witness who killed a soldier will be released ... And just because I'm his son you're investigating me. It's disgusting," he said.
"I'm investigated in order to drive my parents mad. You know that a child is the most precious thing to a parent."
"If the report is true, I full heartedly reject all of the gross allegations Yair tried to throw at me during his police testimony," Gideon Saar said in a statement. "This is more evidence of a ruthless campaign meant to spread falsehoods about me to besmirch my name and my political activity – it will not succeed".
Yair Netanyahu's legal team's also issued a response, calling the "never-ending" leaks from the investigation "a gross attempt at shaming."
The prime minster's son then went on a rant, accusing the left-wing and implying he is only being targeted due to his connection to Benjamin Netanyahu. "Shame on the police for investigating me, and your state witness who killed a soldier will be released ... And just because I'm his son you're investigating me. It's disgusting," he said.
"I'm investigated in order to drive my parents mad. You know that a child is the most precious thing to a parent."
"If the report is true, I full heartedly reject all of the gross allegations Yair tried to throw at me during his police testimony," Gideon Saar said in a statement. "This is more evidence of a ruthless campaign meant to spread falsehoods about me to besmirch my name and my political activity – it will not succeed".
Yair Netanyahu's legal team's also issued a response, calling the "never-ending" leaks from the investigation "a gross attempt at shaming."
29 oct 2019
Justice Minister Amir Ohana
Ohana claims misconduct on behalf of law authorities after details of criminal investigations against Netanyahu leaked to the press repeatedly; Justice Ministry hits back at the claims, calling them unfounded
Minister of Justice Amir Ohana attacked in a press conference Tuesday the State Attorney office for alleged misconducts in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's investigations in corruption cases held against him.
"There is a State Attorney office within the State Attorney office, it controls the schedule according to its political agenda. It's hard to believe that this is how the law enforcement system acts these days," said Ohana.
Ohana called upon the Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, to investigate the leakage of information out of Netanyahu's investigations.
The Ministry of Justice published a statement on behalf of Mandelblit and State Attorney Shai Nitzan, rejecting Ohana's misconduct claims and calling them unfounded.
"The State Attorney and the Attorney General are very sorry for the remarks made by the Minister of Justice this evening," read the statement. "The law enforcement system will not be dragged into the political field, as it has not in the past. The independence of the General Prosecution is a fundamental principle of a proper democratic regime".
"We reject (Ohana's) attempt to besmirch the work of state law enforcement authorities without any evidential basis. The law enforcement system has, is and will continue to act unobstructed. No one will deter us from serving our duty or turn us from the right path".
Blue and White MK Ofer Shelah also denounced Ohana’s claims, calling the justice minister's tenure “an embarrassment to his predecessors” and to the State of Israel itself.
“Justice Minister Ohana is signaling the twilight of Netanyahu's tenure,” said Shelah. “Ever since he (Ohana) took office, he has mainly dealt with attacking the systems which he oversees, as an open emissary of the residents of the Balfour residence (the prime minister's residence)".
After Ohana's press conference, hundreds of right-wing activists rallied Tuesday evening at Goren Square in Petah Tikva, near Mandelblit's house, in protest of the legal proceedings against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Protesters claimed that State Attorney Shai Nitzan was "destroying democracy" and shouted chants in favor of Netanyahu and his wife Sarah.
Ohana claims misconduct on behalf of law authorities after details of criminal investigations against Netanyahu leaked to the press repeatedly; Justice Ministry hits back at the claims, calling them unfounded
Minister of Justice Amir Ohana attacked in a press conference Tuesday the State Attorney office for alleged misconducts in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's investigations in corruption cases held against him.
"There is a State Attorney office within the State Attorney office, it controls the schedule according to its political agenda. It's hard to believe that this is how the law enforcement system acts these days," said Ohana.
Ohana called upon the Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, to investigate the leakage of information out of Netanyahu's investigations.
The Ministry of Justice published a statement on behalf of Mandelblit and State Attorney Shai Nitzan, rejecting Ohana's misconduct claims and calling them unfounded.
"The State Attorney and the Attorney General are very sorry for the remarks made by the Minister of Justice this evening," read the statement. "The law enforcement system will not be dragged into the political field, as it has not in the past. The independence of the General Prosecution is a fundamental principle of a proper democratic regime".
"We reject (Ohana's) attempt to besmirch the work of state law enforcement authorities without any evidential basis. The law enforcement system has, is and will continue to act unobstructed. No one will deter us from serving our duty or turn us from the right path".
Blue and White MK Ofer Shelah also denounced Ohana’s claims, calling the justice minister's tenure “an embarrassment to his predecessors” and to the State of Israel itself.
“Justice Minister Ohana is signaling the twilight of Netanyahu's tenure,” said Shelah. “Ever since he (Ohana) took office, he has mainly dealt with attacking the systems which he oversees, as an open emissary of the residents of the Balfour residence (the prime minister's residence)".
After Ohana's press conference, hundreds of right-wing activists rallied Tuesday evening at Goren Square in Petah Tikva, near Mandelblit's house, in protest of the legal proceedings against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Protesters claimed that State Attorney Shai Nitzan was "destroying democracy" and shouted chants in favor of Netanyahu and his wife Sarah.
Former Netanyahu loyalist turned state witness Shlomo Filber
Netanyahu claimed the police were targeting his closest aids in a manner that does not befit a democratic regime while the police insists their investigation is necessary and harassment of a state's witness is a serious offence
Israeli police is reported to be investigating whether two senior aides to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu harassed Shlomo Filber, a state witness in the "4000" corruption case against the PM.
Netanyahu claimed the police were targeting his closest aids in a manner that does not befit a democratic regime while the police insists their investigation is necessary and harassment of a state's witness is a serious offence
Israeli police is reported to be investigating whether two senior aides to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu harassed Shlomo Filber, a state witness in the "4000" corruption case against the PM.
Likud campaign manager Ofer Golan
Israeli Channel 13 TV reported on Monday that two of the aides, Ofer Golan and Jonathan Urich, were both recently questioned and had their phones confiscated.
According to the report, Golan hired a van in August to park outside Filber's home, blaring insults at him, and asking: “what did they do to you to make you lie about the prime minister? …The left is using you to topple the Likud”.
Shlomo Filber, a former Netanyahu aide, is a key witness in "case 4000" , in which Netanyahu is suspected of giving political favors to telecom magnate Shaul Elovitch, in exchange for flattering coverage on his news site Walla!.
Ofer Golan has been the Likud election campaign manger for the last three elections and acted as the Netanyahu family's spokesman as well as the Likud party.
Israeli Channel 13 TV reported on Monday that two of the aides, Ofer Golan and Jonathan Urich, were both recently questioned and had their phones confiscated.
According to the report, Golan hired a van in August to park outside Filber's home, blaring insults at him, and asking: “what did they do to you to make you lie about the prime minister? …The left is using you to topple the Likud”.
Shlomo Filber, a former Netanyahu aide, is a key witness in "case 4000" , in which Netanyahu is suspected of giving political favors to telecom magnate Shaul Elovitch, in exchange for flattering coverage on his news site Walla!.
Ofer Golan has been the Likud election campaign manger for the last three elections and acted as the Netanyahu family's spokesman as well as the Likud party.
Netanyahu aid and new media director Johnathon Urich
Johnathon Urich has been the new-media advisor for the PM since 2015.
Ulrich accused the police of tapping personal information from his phone without his consent and without a court order and sharing information with other police investigations in a closed Telegram group named "completing case 4000".
The police responded to the accusations, saying that: "Urich agreed to let us look at his phone. He was questioned about it and agreed to do so on his own volition".
Police further stated that the phones will not be investigated further without judicial consent, and special approvals will be requested
with specific contact information present on those phones.
Netanyahu responded to the investigations of his aides, attacking police investigators saying: "the confiscation of my close aides' phones is a blow to Israeli democracy and to the right to privacy that every citizen holds. We are not living in a dark regime and such action should not be allowed."
The prime minister added that "the focus of the investigation is meant to threaten those close to me and deny me the ability to react to the nonstop leaking of information coming from my investigations. Why aren't the police looking into that?"
Two more individuals involved with Netanyahu's close circle were questioned: the Likud's creative director Srulik Einhorn and Likud CEO aide Ofer Hamo.
A joint massage by the police department and the ministry of justice was released, saying: "The law enforcement agencies see with severity any attempt to harass witnesses, make them change their mind or threaten them. It is far more severe when a state witness is involved."
The statement went on to say "In a state run by the rule of law, these sorts of actions will not be acceptable and will not be permitted in anyway. These actions could be a detriment to the continuation of the investigations and the goal of reaching final justice."
The police further noted that Filber's investigation is ongoing.
Johnathon Urich has been the new-media advisor for the PM since 2015.
Ulrich accused the police of tapping personal information from his phone without his consent and without a court order and sharing information with other police investigations in a closed Telegram group named "completing case 4000".
The police responded to the accusations, saying that: "Urich agreed to let us look at his phone. He was questioned about it and agreed to do so on his own volition".
Police further stated that the phones will not be investigated further without judicial consent, and special approvals will be requested
with specific contact information present on those phones.
Netanyahu responded to the investigations of his aides, attacking police investigators saying: "the confiscation of my close aides' phones is a blow to Israeli democracy and to the right to privacy that every citizen holds. We are not living in a dark regime and such action should not be allowed."
The prime minister added that "the focus of the investigation is meant to threaten those close to me and deny me the ability to react to the nonstop leaking of information coming from my investigations. Why aren't the police looking into that?"
Two more individuals involved with Netanyahu's close circle were questioned: the Likud's creative director Srulik Einhorn and Likud CEO aide Ofer Hamo.
A joint massage by the police department and the ministry of justice was released, saying: "The law enforcement agencies see with severity any attempt to harass witnesses, make them change their mind or threaten them. It is far more severe when a state witness is involved."
The statement went on to say "In a state run by the rule of law, these sorts of actions will not be acceptable and will not be permitted in anyway. These actions could be a detriment to the continuation of the investigations and the goal of reaching final justice."
The police further noted that Filber's investigation is ongoing.
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