Israeli prosecutors consider indicting Netanyahu's former aide over classified intel leak
Tzachi Braverman, ex-chief of staff to Benjamin Netanyahu, may face charges for his alleged involvement in a sensitive information leak.
Jerusalem: Israeli prosecutors announced on Tuesday their intention to potentially charge Tzachi Braverman, the former chief of staff to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with several criminal offenses related to an investigation into the leakage of classified intelligence.
According to the State Attorney’s Office, the attorney general and state prosecutor are contemplating charges including fraud, breach of trust, and obstruction of justice, pending a pre-indictment hearing.The case has contributed to mounting political pressure on Netanyahu's administration, which has come under scrutiny for its management of classified information during the conflict in Gaza.
Prosecutors claim that Braverman became aware in October 2024 of an undercover investigation concerning the unauthorized release of high-grade intelligence material, which was subsequently published by the German newspaper Bild.The leaked intelligence was described as 'top secret,' and its dissemination was strictly limited to authorized personnel.
It is alleged that Braverman obtained this information through classified means before it was transferred for publication.
Upon discovering the investigation, Braverman allegedly reached out to Eli Feldstein, a media adviser to Netanyahu at the time, requesting an urgent meeting at the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv.The encounter took place late at night inside Feldstein’s car within the base's parking lot.
During this meeting, Braverman reportedly read aloud several names from a piece of paper and questioned Feldstein about any recognition of these individuals.
Braverman also inquired whether the ongoing investigation was connected to either of them, stating, 'If it is connected to us, I can shut it down.'Feldstein denied involvement in the matter, and their meeting concluded shortly thereafter.
The investigation eventually came to light after Feldstein and reservist Ari Rosenfeld were apprehended by authorities.
Prosecutors subsequently charged both men: Rosenfeld with leaking classified information to Feldstein, and Feldstein with facilitating its publication in Bild.According to Israeli media reports, Feldstein is suspected of having leaked a classified document to Bild in September 2024.
The document was purportedly intended to support Netanyahu’s stance that Hamas lacked interest in a ceasefire agreement and that the hostages seized by Palestinian militants on October 7, 2023, during Israel's assault on Gaza, could only be freed through continued military pressure rather than negotiations.Under Israeli law, individuals facing potential criminal charges like Braverman are entitled to a hearing before prosecutors make the final decision regarding indictment.
Meanwhile, Braverman has been named as Israel’s future ambassador to the United Kingdom.
Feldstein is also a suspect in the so-called 'Qatargate' scandal, where he and other close associates of Netanyahu allegedly acted as agents for Qatar, aiming to enhance the Gulf monarchy's image within Israel.
Notably, Qatar serves as a host for senior Hamas leaders and has played an intermediary role between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement during the recent conflict in Gaza.
According to the State Attorney’s Office, the attorney general and state prosecutor are contemplating charges including fraud, breach of trust, and obstruction of justice, pending a pre-indictment hearing.The case has contributed to mounting political pressure on Netanyahu's administration, which has come under scrutiny for its management of classified information during the conflict in Gaza.
Prosecutors claim that Braverman became aware in October 2024 of an undercover investigation concerning the unauthorized release of high-grade intelligence material, which was subsequently published by the German newspaper Bild.The leaked intelligence was described as 'top secret,' and its dissemination was strictly limited to authorized personnel.
It is alleged that Braverman obtained this information through classified means before it was transferred for publication.
Upon discovering the investigation, Braverman allegedly reached out to Eli Feldstein, a media adviser to Netanyahu at the time, requesting an urgent meeting at the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv.The encounter took place late at night inside Feldstein’s car within the base's parking lot.
During this meeting, Braverman reportedly read aloud several names from a piece of paper and questioned Feldstein about any recognition of these individuals.
Braverman also inquired whether the ongoing investigation was connected to either of them, stating, 'If it is connected to us, I can shut it down.'Feldstein denied involvement in the matter, and their meeting concluded shortly thereafter.
The investigation eventually came to light after Feldstein and reservist Ari Rosenfeld were apprehended by authorities.
Prosecutors subsequently charged both men: Rosenfeld with leaking classified information to Feldstein, and Feldstein with facilitating its publication in Bild.According to Israeli media reports, Feldstein is suspected of having leaked a classified document to Bild in September 2024.
The document was purportedly intended to support Netanyahu’s stance that Hamas lacked interest in a ceasefire agreement and that the hostages seized by Palestinian militants on October 7, 2023, during Israel's assault on Gaza, could only be freed through continued military pressure rather than negotiations.Under Israeli law, individuals facing potential criminal charges like Braverman are entitled to a hearing before prosecutors make the final decision regarding indictment.
Meanwhile, Braverman has been named as Israel’s future ambassador to the United Kingdom.
Feldstein is also a suspect in the so-called 'Qatargate' scandal, where he and other close associates of Netanyahu allegedly acted as agents for Qatar, aiming to enhance the Gulf monarchy's image within Israel.
Notably, Qatar serves as a host for senior Hamas leaders and has played an intermediary role between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement during the recent conflict in Gaza.
