|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and State Attorney Amit Aisman on Thursday called for an investigation into Sara Netanyahu, the wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
This decision follows a Channel 12 investigative report alleging that she sought to intimidate a witness and interfere in her husband’s ongoing corruption trial.
The prime minister’s allies quickly denounced the announcement, labeling it a politically motivated attack, while critics of the government hailed it as a move toward accountability.
Allegations of Witness Intimidation
The controversy stems from a report aired by Channel 12’s “Uvda” program on December 20.
The program alleged that Sara Netanyahu instructed Hanni Bleiweiss, a now-deceased aide to the prime minister, to organize protests and an online smear campaign targeting Hadas Klein, a key witness in one of the corruption cases against Benjamin Netanyahu.
The report, which relied on internal communications extracted from Bleiweiss’s phone, painted a troubling picture of witness harassment and obstruction of justice.
Klein, who has previously testified against the prime minister, was among dozens of individuals who filed police complaints against Sara Netanyahu following the exposé.
The alleged harassment campaign included online attacks and physical demonstrations, amplifying the already contentious atmosphere surrounding the trial.
Formal Investigation Initiated
The Attorney General and State Attorney’s joint statement did not explicitly name Sara Netanyahu but confirmed their recommendation for an investigation into witness harassment and obstruction of justice.
Law enforcement sources later revealed that the investigation would be spearheaded by Lahav 433, Israel’s elite serious crimes unit.
Reports indicate that police intend to seek access to Bleiweiss’s phone, which served as the primary source for the “Uvda” report. Investigators may also request access to Sara Netanyahu’s personal communications.
While the investigation appears imminent, sources caution that any direct interrogation of Sara Netanyahu is unlikely to occur in the short term.
Divisive Reactions
The decision to investigate Sara Netanyahu has polarized public opinion and reignited political tensions. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, a staunch ally of the prime minister, accused Attorney General Baharav-Miara of political persecution.
“Whoever politically persecutes government ministers and their families cannot continue serving as attorney general,” he declared, lamenting that her dismissal is not currently on the government’s agenda.
Justice Minister Yariv Levin, another prominent supporter of the prime minister, also criticized the move. “Selective enforcement has reared its ugly head once again,” he wrote on Telegram, dismissing the allegations against Sara Netanyahu as “gossip on TV.”
Levin argued that the attorney general and state attorney should instead focus on critics of the government who have called for IDF reservists to refuse service or allegedly threatened senior officials.
Other members of the coalition echoed these sentiments, accusing the legal system of bias and overreach. Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana described Baharav-Miara’s actions as “lazy and afflicted by blindness, deafness, and muteness.”
His remarks drew sharp criticism from former MK Shirley Pinto, Israel’s first deaf lawmaker, who condemned the use of disabilities as insults.
Opposition Applauds Legal Action
In stark contrast, opposition lawmakers and activists welcomed the investigation. Naama Lazimi, a Labor Party legislator, praised the attorney general’s decision, expressing gratitude to citizens who filed police complaints.
“We won’t give up until justice is done—until Israel escapes the chokehold of this family and the poison machine around it,” she wrote on social media.
The allegations against Sara Netanyahu extend beyond the alleged witness intimidation. The “Uvda” report also claimed she orchestrated a protest outside the home of a bereaved family whose fighter pilot son was killed in combat.
The family had reportedly allowed anti-government protesters to use their home as a gathering point.
Additionally, the report alleged that Sara Netanyahu encouraged police officers to use violence against anti-government demonstrators and mistreated her aide, Hanni Bleiweiss.
Legal and Personal Fallout
The fallout from the report has reverberated beyond the political and judicial spheres. Bleiweiss’s family reportedly plans to file a lawsuit against the Netanyahus, citing harassment and emotional abuse.
The late aide’s personal communications, now a critical piece of evidence, have provided a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the prime minister’s circle.
For her part, Sara Netanyahu has yet to publicly respond to the allegations. However, her husband has taken to social media to vehemently defend her.
In a four-minute video posted hours before the investigation was announced, Prime Minister Netanyahu accused the media of spreading a “blood libel” against his wife.
He described the allegations as baseless and part of a broader campaign to undermine his family.
Broader Implications
The investigation into Sara Netanyahu comes amid an already fraught political climate in Israel. The prime minister’s ongoing corruption trial has been a focal point of national discourse, polarizing the electorate and fueling widespread protests.
Critics argue that the allegations against Sara Netanyahu reflect a broader culture of impunity and misuse of power within the prime minister’s inner circle.
Attorney General Baharav-Miara and State Attorney Aisman’s decision to pursue the investigation underscores the legal system’s commitment to addressing these concerns, despite intense political pressure.
The move also highlights the growing tension between Israel’s judiciary and the government, particularly as coalition leaders push for a controversial judicial overhaul that critics warn could undermine the rule of law.
What Lies Ahead
As the investigation unfolds, it is likely to further strain the already fragile relationship between Israel’s judiciary and executive branches.
The legal scrutiny of Sara Netanyahu adds a new layer of complexity to the prime minister’s legal woes and raises questions about accountability at the highest levels of government.
For many Israelis, the investigation represents a litmus test for the country’s justice system.
Whether it results in legal consequences for Sara Netanyahu or fades amid political controversy, the probe has already left an indelible mark on Israel’s political and judicial landscape.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members