Israel's Attorney General Orders Investigation into Prime Minister Netanyahu's Wife

(CLO) Israel's Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, ordered an investigation into Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wife, Sara Netanyahu, on Thursday over various allegations.

The Israeli prime minister is currently the subject of a long-running corruption trial after being indicted in 2019 on charges of fraud, breach of trust and bribery. Mr Netanyahu has denied all charges, claiming he is the victim of " political revenge".

Meanwhile, Ms. Sara has previously been accused of bullying staff and overspending, as well as using public funds for personal purposes.

Mr. and Mrs. Sara and Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo: Israeli Government Press Office

Israel's Justice Ministry announced Thursday that the investigation into Ms. Sara will focus on findings from a recent investigative report by Israel's Channel 12 program Uvda.

The report includes WhatsApp messages that appear to show Ms. Sara directed a former aide to organize protests against political opponents and threaten Hadas Klein, a key witness in her husband's corruption trial.

Sara is accused of encouraging police to crack down on anti-government protesters and ordering Hanni Bleiweiss, her husband's former aide, to organize protests against them.

Ms. Bleiweiss, who died of cancer in 2023, was reportedly pressured by Ms. Sara to share the message with a reporter shortly before her death, according to Uvda.

Prime Minister Netanyahu called the Uvda report a “lie” in a video released on Thursday. “The left-wing and media opponents have found a new target, old and new. They are mercilessly attacking my wife, Sara,” he said, calling the program “false propaganda, evil propaganda that spreads lies from the shadows.”

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who has repeatedly called for Prosecutor General Baharav Miara to be fired, said Thursday's announcement by the Justice Ministry was another reason for her dismissal. "Anyone who politically oppresses government ministers and their families cannot continue to be Prosecutor General."

Justice Minister Yariv Levin, another ally of the Israeli prime minister and critic of Ms Miara, also accused the prosecutor general of focusing on "TV rumors".

In addition to the legal troubles he faces at home, the Israeli Prime Minister has been arrested by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza war. Mr. Netanyahu has also denied the charges.

Hoang Anh (according to TOI, Newsweek, Irish News)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/tong-cong-to-israel-ra-lenh-dieu-tra-vo-cua-thu-tuong-netanyahu-post327746.html