Jerusalem Court Rebukes Netanyahu Defense Over Witness Scheduling Failures
Jerusalem District Court judges sharply reprimanded Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s defense team for failing to coordinate witnesses and secure backups, demanding strict advance scheduling.
The Jerusalem District Court judges presiding over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s trial sharply rebuked the defense team, demanding explanations for failing to prepare alternative witnesses after former Knesset member Eitan Cabel failed to appear. The defense requested Cabel’s testimony but did not coordinate it in advance, while he is currently serving IDF reserve duty.
The hearing grew tense as Judge Moshe Shaham criticized Netanyahu’s defense attorney, stating that trials cannot be conducted this way and calling the situation more than just a minor glitch. It was further revealed that scheduling issues extended beyond Cabel, as Judge Rivka Friedman-Feldman also reprimanded the defense regarding unconfirmed dates for former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit.
Judge Friedman-Feldman demanded fundamental procedural changes, noting that a one-week notice is insufficient when no backup witnesses are arranged, and instructed the defense to provide one-month advance notices. This legal drama unfolds amid broader political tensions, including recent sharp criticism from television host Eyal Berkovic regarding the prime minister.
