Israeli attorney general orders probe into Sara Netanyahu amid corruption trial controversy

• Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has ordered a probe into Sara Netanyahu, wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over allegations of witness tampering and obstruction of justice. The investigation follows claims that she orchestrated campaigns to intimidate witnesses and critics involved in her husband’s corruption trial.
• Sara Netanyahu is accused of using WhatsApp messages to instruct a former aide to target key witness Hadas Klein and organize protests against critics. Benjamin Netanyahu has vehemently denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated “lies” and part of a “witch hunt.”
• The investigation adds complexity to Benjamin Netanyahu’s ongoing corruption trial, where he faces charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. The trial has deeply polarized Israeli politics, with supporters claiming it is an effort to remove him from power.
• The probe has drawn sharp criticism from Netanyahu’s allies, with Justice Minister Yariv Levin accusing the attorney general of “selective enforcement” and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir calling for her dismissal.
• The investigation raises questions about corruption and abuse of power within the Netanyahu administration, while also occurring amid Netanyahu’s challenges with the ICC’s war crimes allegations and the Gaza conflict. The outcome could further polarize Israeli society and impact Netanyahu’s political future.

In a move that has sparked fierce political debate, Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has ordered an investigation into Sara Netanyahu, the wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over allegations of witness tampering and obstruction of justice. The probe, announced on Thursday, follows an explosive report by Israel’s Channel 12, which accused Sara Netanyahu of orchestrating a campaign to intimidate witnesses and political opponents involved in her husband’s ongoing corruption trial.

The allegations center on WhatsApp messages allegedly sent by Sara Netanyahu, in which she reportedly instructed a former aide to organize protests against critics of the prime minister and target Hadas Klein, a key witness in the corruption case. Klein, an aide to Israeli billionaire Arnon Milchan, testified about delivering lavish gifts, including champagne and cigars, to the Netanyahus on Milchan’s behalf. The report also claimed that Sara Netanyahu encouraged the use of violence against anti-government protesters and pressured Likud Party activists to launch social media attacks against Klein.

Benjamin Netanyahu, who has long denied the corruption charges against him, vehemently defended his wife, calling the allegations “lies” and part of a politically motivated “witch hunt.” In a scathing video released Thursday, the prime minister accused the left-wing media of engaging in “character assassination” and spreading “fake news” to tarnish his family’s reputation. He praised Sara Netanyahu as a kind and charitable figure, dismissing the claims as “despicable fictions.”

The investigation into Sara Netanyahu adds another layer of complexity to the prime minister’s legal troubles. Netanyahu is currently on trial for charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, stemming from allegations that he traded political favors for gifts and favorable media coverage. The trial, which began in 2020, has been a source of intense political polarization in Israel, with Netanyahu’s supporters claiming it is a politically motivated effort to remove him from power.

Sara Netanyahu is no stranger to legal controversies. In 2019, she reached a plea deal in a separate case, admitting to misusing public funds to cover private catering expenses. She was ordered to repay the funds and pay an additional fine. Critics argue that the latest allegations further highlight a pattern of unethical behavior within the Netanyahu family.

Political persecution or necessary investigation?

The decision to investigate Sara Netanyahu has drawn sharp criticism from the prime minister’s political allies. Justice Minister Yariv Levin accused Attorney General Baharav-Miara of engaging in “selective enforcement” and focusing on “television gossip” rather than substantive issues. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir went further, calling for Baharav-Miara’s dismissal, claiming she is politically persecuting the Netanyahu family.

The controversy comes at a precarious time for Netanyahu, who is already facing mounting criticism over his handling of the ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza. The International Criminal Court (ICC) recently sought an arrest warrant for Netanyahu on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, which he has dismissed as “absurd and false.”

As the investigation into Sara Netanyahu unfolds, it remains unclear how it will impact the prime minister’s political future. Critics argue that the allegations underscore a broader culture of corruption and abuse of power within the Netanyahu administration, while supporters maintain that the probe is yet another attempt by political opponents to undermine the prime minister.

For now, the Netanyahus must navigate the dual challenges of a high-stakes corruption trial and a potential new investigation into Sara Netanyahu’s conduct. As the legal and political drama continues to unfold, one thing is certain: the Netanyahu family remains at the center of Israel’s most contentious and polarizing debates.

The rule of law must prevail, but so too must the principles of fairness and impartiality. Whether this investigation will restore public trust in Israel’s institutions or deepen the divisions within its society remains to be seen.

Sources include:

RT.com

FinancialTimes.com

Newsweek.com