Israel – The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s office is involved in 4 serious cases, one of which is related to an attempt to change documents regarding early warnings before October 7 last year.
The most serious of these cases is the case of leaking secret documents, as a result of which five people were arrested, including an advisor in his office and a senior officer. The case is related to stealing information from the army and leaking it to foreign media, with the aim of influencing public opinion regarding the prisoner exchange deal.
The second issue relates to attempts to change protocols surrounding the war on Gaza, to influence any official investigation into the failures of October 7th.
The third case concerns the efforts of officials in Netanyahu’s office to blackmail a senior officer with a shameful video they obtained, in exchange for additional confidential information. The fourth case concerns a videotape of former Defense Minister Yoav Galant, documenting that he was prevented by guards from entering Netanyahu’s office days after the outbreak of the war.
Israeli Channel 12 said that one of the cases in Netanyahu’s office is related to an attempt to change documents regarding early warnings. The channel also said, quoting a political official, that Netanyahu’s men spared no effort to remove the Prime Minister from suspicion and remove everything that stood in the way of that.
This comes as Maariv newspaper reported that the Israeli government’s judicial advisor approved the opening of an investigation into Netanyahu against the backdrop of the leaks in his office.
The newspaper reported that after this ratification, the advisors could open an investigation against Netanyahu himself.
The matter concerns two cases in Netanyahu’s office, the first concerns suspicions of leaking secret documents, and the second concerns suspicions of attempts to change protocols since the start of the war, and Maariv indicated that the judicial advisor, the Shin Bet, and the police refused to address the matter officially.
Yesterday, Thursday, Israeli media revealed that an investigation is underway into the involvement of two senior officials in Netanyahu’s office in extracting and publishing sensitive material from surveillance cameras related to a senior army officer.
The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation also clarified that it is being investigated that two prominent people in Netanyahu’s office obtained sensitive materials belonging to a high-ranking officer, and said that suspicions are swirling about a relationship between this matter and the issue of the theft of military materials.
She indicated that Chief of Staff Herzi Halevy received a complaint that Netanyahu’s office was using sensitive documents belonging to an officer who previously worked with the office. She added that the materials were extracted from surveillance cameras, and it is being investigated whether the goal was to exert pressure on Netanyahu’s office through them.
This was preceded by what the Broadcasting Authority reported, also last Monday, about the increase in the number of detainees in the leak case to 5 people, while the “Israel Today” newspaper said at the time that Netanyahu demanded an investigation into the leak of security discussions.
Before that, it was revealed in Israel that a senior advisor leaked documents classified as “top secret” to the British newspapers Jewish Chronicle and German Bild last September, even though he did not obtain a security classification that would allow him to view those documents.
Israeli reports, based on investigations, stated that the security leadership was not aware of the content of the documents, including documents said to have been found in Gaza and attributed to the leader of the Palestinian resistance movement, Yahya Sinwar, but which were proven to be forged.
The Israeli media added that the Prime Minister used these documents, some of which are described as “fake leaks,” to justify his obstruction of the negotiations, which were about to finalize a prisoner exchange deal, while Netanyahu’s office describes the accusations as slander.
Source: Al Jazeera + agencies
#Israeli #Broadcasting #Corporation #Netanyahus #office #involved #cases
**Interview with Dr. Miriam Katz, Political Analyst and Middle East Specialist**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Katz. The recent allegations regarding Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office seem quite serious. Can you summarize the main points related to these leaks and their implications for Israeli governance?
**Dr. Katz:** Thank you for having me. Indeed, the situation is quite alarming. There are multiple allegations against Netanyahu’s office—most significantly, the leak of classified documents with potentially damaging repercussions for national security. This includes attempts to manipulate narratives surrounding sensitive information, particularly concerning the October 7th events which led to the ongoing conflict. The investigation suggests an effort to alter the public perception around these events and the handling of the hostage situation in Gaza.
**Interviewer:** What do these leaks mean for public trust in Netanyahu’s leadership?
**Dr. Katz:** These leaks could significantly undermine public trust in Netanyahu and his government. When crucial state information is mishandled or when it appears that the leadership is engaged in cover-ups or manipulations, it creates a crisis of confidence among citizens. Trust in government is paramount, especially during times of conflict, and any erosion of that trust could have serious political ramifications for Netanyahu as he faces increasing pressure from both the public and opposition parties.
**Interviewer:** The investigation seems to be expanding to include Netanyahu himself. What are the potential legal consequences for him if he is found complicit?
**Dr. Katz:** Should evidence emerge that confirms Netanyahu’s involvement in these activities, he could face significant legal challenges, including charges of obstruction of justice or misconduct. If the judicial system finds him liable, it could lead to severe political consequences, including the possibility of impeachment or calls for resignation. The ramifications could extend beyond legal punishments; they could disrupt the fragile coalition government he leads.
**Interviewer:** We also hear about blackmail allegations involving senior officials. How do such actions affect the internal dynamics within the Israeli government?
**Dr. Katz:** Allegations of blackmail within the ranks of government officials create a toxic environment and erode morale among the administration. Such actions reflect a level of desperation and a willingness to compromise ethical standards for political gain. This not only hampers effective governance but could lead to further divisions within Netanyahu’s coalition, as members may feel the need to distance themselves from questionable practices to preserve their reputations.
**Interviewer:** So, what does this mean for the broader geopolitical landscape, particularly concerning the ongoing conflict in Gaza?
**Dr. Katz:** The ongoing conflict is already complex, and these internal issues could distract Netanyahu from effectively managing the situation. If the prime minister is preoccupied with legal challenges and public scrutiny, it may hinder Israel’s ability to navigate diplomatic relations or communicate effectively with allies. Moreover, any instability within Israel’s leadership could embolden adversaries, impacting the delicate balance in the region.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Katz, for your insights. This issue will certainly be one to watch in the coming weeks.
**Dr. Katz:** Thank you for having me. It will indeed be crucial to see how these developments unfold.
