Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has ordered a police investigation targeting Sara Netanyahu, the wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, following serious allegations of witness harassment and attempts to obstruct justice related to her husband's corruption trial. This announcement, made late Thursday, emerges after revelations aired on Channel 12’s investigative program, "Uvda," which reported troubling communications purportedly led by Sara Netanyahu.
The program disclosed WhatsApp messages indicating Sara directed her late aide, Hanni Bleiweiss, to orchestrate protests against political opponents and intimidate Hadas Klein, who serves as a key witness against the Prime Minister. According to the report, these communications, acquired posthumously from Bleiweiss’s phone, allegedly show Sara Netanyahu instructing Bleiweiss to organize demonstrations outside the homes of prosecuting officials and to incite social media campaigns attacking Klein.
Bleiweiss, known as a dedicated aide to the Netanyahu family, died of cancer last year, leaving behind messages now under scrutiny for their potential role in obstructing the legal proceedings against the Prime Minister, who is facing accusations of fraud and breach of trust. Attorney General Baharav-Miara commented, "An investigation must be opened...given the findings of the program ‘Uvda,’” yet refrained from naming Sara Netanyahu directly.
Following the airing of the "Uvda" report, public reaction intensified, prompting numerous complaints to the police alleging harassment by Netanyahu. Klein, who has testified about delivering expensive gifts to the Netanyahu family on behalf of billionaire Arnon Milchan, is at the center of this controversy, underscoring the gravity of the allegations against Sara Netanyahu.
Prime Minister Netanyahu, defending his wife, released a video denouncing the allegations as “false propaganda, nasty propaganda,” asserting, "They mercilessly attack my wife, Sara…and my opponents on the left and the media found a new-old target." His defense stands against significant political backlash, particularly from opposition members who view the developments as pivotal for accountability within the government.
Opposition figures, including Labor lawmaker Naama Lazimi, have welcomed the investigation, thanking citizens for filing complaints about harassment. Lazimi remarked, "We won’t give up until justice is done – until Israel escapes the chokehold of this family and the poison machine around it." This highlights the contentious atmosphere surrounding Israeli politics where the Netanyahu family has been under public scrutiny for years.
The investigation, led by the Lahav 433 serious crimes unit, aims to navigate the complex political dynamics and potential legal ramifications stemming from these allegations. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s allies, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Justice Minister Yariv Levin, have criticized the probe, alleging political motives behind the Attorney General's actions. Ben Gvir accused Baharav-Miara of engaging in political persecution against Sara Netanyahu, declaring, "Someone who politically persecutes government ministers and families cannot continue to serve as the attorney general."
Adding to the tension, Justice Minister Levin dismissed the investigation as focusing on "television gossip" instead of addressing more substantial legal matters. The conflict reflects broader divides within the Israeli political framework, especially with high-stakes legal controversies involving prime figures.
The legal troubles of Benjamin Netanyahu, marked by corruption cases dubbed 1000, 2000, and 4000, have historically undermined his administration. These allegations involve exchanges of favors for media coverage and other benefits from wealthy acquaintances. Amidst these challenges, Sara Netanyahu's current investigation could add another layer of complexity to the Prime Minister's legal battles.
Over recent years, public perceptions of Sara Netanyahu have fluctuated, often shaped by accusations of abusive behavior toward employees and extravagant state fund misuse, earning her criticism for being detached from the everyday realities of regular Israeli citizens. This most recent inquiry is not the first time she has faced legal scrutiny; she was fined for misusing state funds back in 2019.
Meanwhile, Sara Netanyahu has taken legal actions of her own, filing for defamation against Channel 12 after accusations of involvement with leaked sensitive security information, including claims concerning the assassination of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. This too highlights the contentious nature of her public image.
Looking forward, this impending investigation has the potential to not only influence the Netanyahu family's political standing but also resonate throughout Israeli society, as citizens grapple with the nuances of power, accountability, and justice amid increasing political polarization. The outcomes of such investigations inevitably contribute to the public narrative around corruption, influence, and the mechanisms of government.
Overall, the investigation of Sara Netanyahu is set against the backdrop of deepening political strife within Israel and serves as yet another chapter within the complex saga of the Netanyahu legacy, as charges of witness harassment shake the foundations of trust between the Israeli public and its leaders.
