Legal Expert Criticizes Judges Over Pace and Attorney General Summons in Netanyahu Trial

Legal expert Eyal Rozovsky has criticized the judges overseeing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ongoing trial, arguing that the proceedings are not being managed in a way that would shorten them. The remarks follow the prosecution’s announcement that Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara will not personally appear at an upcoming court session.

Speaking to the press, Rozovsky addressed the rare decision by the judges to summon the attorney general, stating that mutual respect between state authorities requires clear justification for such a move. He noted that summoning her without specifying the topics in advance is an irregular procedure that leaves her unprepared to provide substantive answers.

Rozovsky also took issue with the pace and conduct of the trial, pointing out that hearing a single defense witness for nine separate evidence sessions is unprecedented and damages the judicial system. He questioned the management of the proceedings, suggesting that they risk stretching on indefinitely rather than moving toward a conclusion.

Discussing the potential motives behind the court's summons, Rozovsky raised the possibility that the judges may wish to address the bribery charges against Netanyahu. However, he noted that dropping the bribery charge while continuing the rest of the trial would do little to significantly shorten the overall duration of the legal proceedings.