Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has initiated an investigation concerning Sara Netanyahu, the wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on allegations of witness harassment and obstructing justice. This announcement came late Thursday, particularly after findings from the investigative program 'Uvda' highlighted troubling communications allegedly involving Mrs. Netanyahu.
The investigation will focus on WhatsApp messages reportedly sent by Sara Netanyahu, where she appears to direct former aides to organize protests against political opponents and intimidate Hadas Klein, who plays a pivotal role as a witness against her husband’s actions during his corruption trial.
While the official statement from the Justice Ministry refrained from explicitly naming Sara Netanyahu, the inquiry marks another facet of the long-standing legal issues surrounding the couple, particularly the corruption trial against Benjamin Netanyahu, which involves serious allegations of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust.
Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the inquiries following the broadcast of the Uvda report, defending his wife vigorously during a video statement where he claimed, "My opponents on the left and in the media found a new-old target. They mercilessly attack my wife, Sara." He described the allegations as "false propaganda, nasty propaganda... brings up lies from the darkness." This reflects his longstanding position of portraying himself as the victim of what he describes as politically motivated attacks against him and his family.
The Uvda report also contained revelations about how Sara Netanyahu allegedly encouraged police to handle anti-government protests assertively and directed her former aide, Hanni Bleiweiss, to take measures against critics of her husband. Bleiweiss, who worked closely with Netanyahu for decades before passing away from cancer, reportedly suffered mistreatment from Sara Netanyahu, which led her to divulge specific details of their communications shortly before her death.
The allegations suggest a concerning pattern of behavior involving Sara Netanyahu, including intimidation tactics against political rivals and witnesses. Critics of the Netanyahus have noted previous instances where Sara was accused of abusing her staff and utilizing public funds for her lavish lifestyle. This history has contributed to her contentious reputation among the Israeli public.
Political reaction to the attorney general's announcement has been swift. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who has frequently criticized Gali Baharav-Miara's tenure, suggested the latest investigation provided yet another reason for her dismissal. He stated emphatically, "Someone who politically persecutes government ministers and their families cannot continue to serve as the attorney general." Such comments reflect the charged political atmosphere surrounding the Netanyahu administration and the fragile balance within their coalition government.
Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who is also allied with Prime Minister Netanyahu, echoed similar discontent, accusing the attorney general of fixations on "television gossip" rather than substantive legal issues. He charged, "Selective enforcement is a crime!" Such claims indicate the growing sentiment among Netanyahu's allies to undermine the judicial perspective on their family’s alleged misdeeds.
The mounting investigations and legal crises have put the Netanyahu family under intense scrutiny, not only related to the corruption charges against Benjamin Netanyahu but now with potential ramifications for Sara Netanyahu as well. She now faces allegations of misusing her position to influence public sentiment and intimidate those providing testimony against her husband.
While the ramifications of the investigation are yet to be fully realized, it situates the Netanyahus within another patch of legal complexity. This inquiry disrupts their efforts to maintain political stability amid Benjamin Netanyahu's impending legal battles and the challenges presented by the Israeli-Hamas conflict. The scrutiny from the public, media, and opposition forces continues to grow, compelling the Netanyahu family to navigate treacherous waters both politically and legally.
What lies ahead for the Netanyahu family? The upcoming days will likely bring increased attention to the outcomes of these investigations as Israelis watch closely to see how both Sara and Benjamin Netanyahu will respond to these latest allegations. Tension surrounding their governance grows as society demands accountability from those in power, illustrating the delicate situation they find themselves continually entangled within.
