Skip to main content

Netanyahu’s archrival before elections: the attorney general

To save himself from an indictment before the April elections, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu argues that the political left is pressuring Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit to indict him.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (2nd L) and Cabinet Secretary Avichai Mandelblit (L) arrive to the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem November 16, 2014.  REUTERS/Gali Tibbon/Pool (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS) - GM1EABG1G1D01
Read in 

It lasted all of 24 seconds. That was the entire length of the video that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted to social media at 9:00 p.m. on Jan. 24. The tightly edited video featured remarks by two leaders of the demonstrations outside the attorney general’s house: Manny Naftali, the former superintendent of the prime minister’s residence, and social activist Eldad Yaniv. These two men are most closely identified with a series of demonstrations that took place there every Saturday night during many weeks, in an effort to pressure Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit to indict the prime minister. “Mandelblit, we haven’t forgotten you! We’re coming to your home,” Naftali promises. The video clip is accompanied by the header, “The left is applying pressure to the attorney general. Will that pressure work?”

Netanyahu’s election videos are very brief, rhythmic and provocative. The thing is that they do not target some political rival; they are focused on Mandelblit, who, according to all observers, is expected to announce his decision to indict Netanyahu for bribery (subject to a hearing) in Case 4000 (a telecom-media affair), and that he will do this some time in February, just before the April 9 election.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.