Israel Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, who is a kippah-wearing religious man, has reportedly thanked God for Benjamin Netanyahu’s removal from power following the most recent national election. Given that Netanyahu was democratically-elected and remains the preferred prime minister of a plurality of Israelis, the attorney general’s remarks were seen by many as problematic.
Channel 12 News reported the Mandelblit recently said in a private conversation that Netanyahu had been trying to rewire Israel’s judicial system to make it loyal to him and protect him from criminal prosecution. While Mandelblit refrained from employing such terminology, he was essentially accusing Netanyahu of inching Israel toward dictatorship.
“We suddenly found ourselves in a fight for the legitimacy of the attorney general’s office, for the DNA of the Jewish people and the State of Israel in modern times,” charged the attorney general. “We got out of it, really, by the grace of God. I truly believe that… I don’t know how it would have ended.”
Channel 12 did not provide a recording of the conversation or reveal the source of the quotes, but the story was quickly picked up by the rest of the Israeli press.
Netanyahu remains on trial in a number of cases related to corruption and breach of trust. He maintains, however, that the charges against him are part of a long-running conspiracy by the police, the judicial system and the mainstream media.
You Might Also Like
“Israel’s IDF Chiefs of Staff are not Messiahs”
“Netanyahu was shocked, but I am at peace”
Will He or Won’t He? Netanyahu and the Annexation of Biblical Israel
Anti-Bibi, Anti-Solomon: How the Present Echoes the Biblical Past
Poll: Israelis Pleased With Netanyahu’s Handling of Corona Crisis
Is This the End for Netanyahu?
Trump Felt Betrayed by Netanyahu, Says New Book
Netanyahu Will Go on Trial Next Week
Biden Will Do Everything He Can to Help Lapid
Netanyahu is a Political Wizard
Netanyahu to Zuckerberg: Facebook is Biased Against Me
Netanyahu Criminal Trial Opens in Jerusalem
Did Netanyahu Just Announce His Retirement?
Dramatic Political Shake-Up Leaves Netanyahu in Power, For Now…
What’s More Important: Netanyahu, or the Right?
The US Influence on the Israeli Protests
Bibi Lacks a Majority in the Right-Wing Majority
The Likudnik Who Just Might Unseat Benjamin Netanyahu
Netanyahu: Don’t Fight It. Call Me ‘Your Highness’!
Netanyahu and What Israelis Want to Happen Next
Just-Bibi / Just-Not-Bibi is Only Half the Story
Bibi and the Exploitation of Art for Political Gain
When Everyone’s Right-Wing, is Anyone Right-Wing?
The Dangers of a Value-Based Democracy
Analysis: Netanyahu Exposes Hezbollah Arms Depot in UN Address
Israelis Wonder If They’ll Ever Get a New Government
Villain and Messiah
Is Revenge Behind Israel’s Third Election?
The Dual Gravity of First and Second Israel
Praise for the Promised Land and for Bibi
Israel’s Fourth Election in Two Years is Also About Bibi
Benjamin Netanyahu is Good for the Arabs
Anyone Else Would Have Received the Nobel Peace Prize
ANALYSIS: Israel Running Into Another Election Abyss?
Israel Justice Minister Vs. the Legal System
“Impossible to Conduct Netanyahu Trial in Masks!”
The Character Assassination of Benjamin Netanyahu
Who’s Who in Israel’s Election 2021?
New Government Crisis Opens Path for Netanyahu’s Return
Netanyahu’s Annexation Plan: Trick or Treat?
Netanyahu Enters Quarantine After Aide Catches Coronavirus
Netanyahu Has Become a Liability for the Political Right
Bibi in the Age of Lying Politicians
Netanyahu Reminds Rivals That He is “God’s Chosen”
When Will Israel’s Leaders Finally Break the Political Impasse?
Netanyahu: A Bigger Threat Than Arabs Seeking Israel’s Demise?
Will Bibi Suddenly Rock the Boat?
Netanyahu Can Topple the Bennett-Lapid Government, By Quitting Politics
“Israel has a crazy obsession with Bibi”
Showdown in the Knesset
Netanyahu: Why is the West ‘Kowtowing’ to a Theocratic Regime?
Bennett to Bibi: Now You’re the Sour Pickle!
Trump’s Been Misled and Bibi’s Making a Mistake, Says Rich Rabbi
Netanyahu Rivals Inch Closer to Removing Him as PM
Please Bibi, Why Don’t You Come Back?
A New Round of Elections Looming in Israel
Bibi, the Dove of Peace for the Palestinians
Don’t Read This Article
ANALYSIS: A Year After Being Sworn In, Bennett’s Government Teeters
Netanyahu: “Gulliver” in a Land of Dwarfs
Can Netanyahu Be Trusted to Keep His Promises?
Trump Signals Lack of Faith in “Loser” Netanyahu
Bennett’s Approval Ratings Drop as Israelis Tire of Iran, Corona
The Just-Not-Bibi Train Rolls On
Understanding the Bennett Crises
Netanyahu, You Will Never March Alone!
Trump Rages Against Netanyahu: ‘He Made a Big Mistake!’
Netanyahu’s Plea Bargain Hangs on Disgrace
Is Netanyahu Israel’s Dreyfus Affair?
“This Time It’s Different”
Pro-Bibi Demonstrations are Bigger Than Bibi
The Tragedy of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Arab Voters Praise Bibi for Bringing Peace
Bibi and the Most Important Demonstration of the Year
Netanyahu: I Believe in the Bible!
How the Rabbis Could Save Netanyahu
The Palestinians are Furious: Three Peace Treaties in Six Weeks
When Circumstances Reveal the Truth
Likud Non-Governance
Democracy is Not What You Think It Is
Eleven Judges and 400 Prophets
Hamas Ally is Now at the Helm of Israel’s Ship
Is This Why Biden Hasn’t Called Bibi?
Mansour Abbas and Netanyahu: New Best Friends?
Freedom of Speech on Trial? Netanyahu Sues Olmert for Calling Him ‘Crazy’
No Trust in Netanyahu’s Emergency Government
Give Peace a Chance? Not While Netanyahu and Trump are Around
Palestinian Flag Spotted at Anti-Netanyahu Rally
Netanyahu’s Next Battle
Listen to the Voice of Protest in Jerusalem
Why Israel’s “Government of Change” Won’t Change Anything
Once a Role Model, Israel is Now a COVID Cautionary Tale
Israelis Concerned Over Irresponsible Government
Netanyahu: I Was Simply Shocked to See This
Corona Fear: Netanyahu Refuses to Shake Hands at Jewish Holy Site
“I’m Not Working for Netanyahu’s Political Survival”
5 Reasons Israel’s New Government May Yet Fall Again
Poll: After 4 Months of Bennett as PM, Israelis Still Prefer Netanyahu
‘Netanyahu Has an Expiration Date’
The Problem With Jewish Fanatics
Benjamin Netanyahu: Forerunner, or Messiah?
A Place Among the Nations
Netanyahu Seems Desperate. It’s Not a Good Look For Him
POLL: Netanyahu Wouldn’t Win Next Election. No One Would.
‘Bibi’s Coming Back’ — Biden’s Staying Away
Conversion Therapy Threatens Netanyahu Government
Fighting Corona Exposes Israel’s Attitude Toward Judaism
WATCH: Netanyahu Sings Psalm 147
Facebook Blocks Netanyahu Chatbot
Unleavened Bread Threatens Bennett-Lapid Government
The Wisdom, Or Not, of Banking on Bibi
Corona Hysteria is Overblown, Insist Top Israeli Experts
Who’s More Suited to Lead Israel?
Netanyahu: How Does God Deal With Political Opposition?
Netanyahu Courts Arab Voters; Nazareth Mayor: We Support You!
Dawn of a New Era in Israeli Politics
Sometimes It’s Best to Just Walk Away
Israel Earns Unwelcome Global Achievement Thanks to Fifth Election
Netanyahu Signals “Red Alert” for Israel
Without Bibi: A Government of Change Rises in Israel
From Nazi Germany to Nazi Israel to Nazi Netanyahu
Look Who’s on the Cover of TIME Magazine
Bibi Goes to Court: “I’m Not Guilty”
Reaping the Fruit of the Coronavirus
Netanyahu’s Own Games are Being Played Against Him
Israel’s Government Urgently Needs a Motivational Push
Bibi Slams Socialist Rivals, Vows Boost to Israeli Small Business
Netanyahu Has Week to Find Majority, Prevent Elections
‘King Bibi’ Sees No End to His Reign
Netanyahu Makes Play for Russian Vote Amid Election Concerns
Netanyahu Calls Out Media Hypocrisy Over Corona Stimulus
Netanyahu is a Dictator, Say Israelis in ‘Black Flag’ Protest
Who Better Than Bibi to Leverage Christian Support?
From Washington to Jerusalem, the Conspiracies Are Unraveling
Bennett Invokes Scripture in Plea to Save Unity Government
Case 4000: Between Blood Libel and Mega Corruption
Netanyahu: John Kerry Wanted ‘Afghanistan Model’ for Palestinians, I Refused
Netanyahu Criminal Investigations Reach Critical Moment
Like Netanyahu, King David Also Had a Big Government
Netanyahu’s Son and Israel’s Out-of-Control Legal System
Did Trump Ruin Reelection Hopes by Attacking Netanyahu?
The “Bibi Bloc” Attacks Netanyahu Over Shabbat Phone Call
Misnomer: New Israel Fund Worries About Israel’s Democracy
Netanyahu Slams Supporter Who Calls for Bennett’s Death: “Fool!”
Netanyahu “Heartbroken” Over Death of Sheldon Adelson
Will a Direct Election for Prime Minister Help Netanyahu?
Netanyahu: Personal Victory, Political Uncertainty
The Fall of the Israeli Government and the Upcoming Election
Benjamin Netanyahu and the Curse of Success
That’s It? Coronavirus is Done in Israel?
Israel Faces an Explosive Week
Will Netanyahu’s Trial Tear Israel Apart?
Israel Turns Against Netanyahu
Israel Gears up For Spring Election
Fighting for a Right-Wing Government
Scandal Over Netanyahu’s Cancelled Trip to Abu Dhabi
Netanyahu, Project 315 and the Quest for Justice
Israeli Politics and the Biblical Concept of Leadership
Israel’s New Government Makes Leftists, Arabs Furious
Naftali Bennett Emerges With the Keys to Bibi’s Kingdom
Out and About in the New Middle East
JUSTBIBI Virus, More Dangerous Than Coronavirus
ANALYSIS: Is the Current Chaos in Israel Related to Iran?
Meet Israel’s New Prime Minister: Naftali Bennett
Can Israel Stop the Christian Gospel?
Is the Corona Crisis a Convenient Excuse for Bibi?
Absurd: Netanyahu Exposed to Corona by His Health Minister
Netanyahu Seeks to Quickly Exploit Rifts in New Government
Prime Minister Netanyahu First Israeli to Receive Covid-19 Vaccination
As Israel Eases Lockdown, Fears of Another Infection Spike
Efforts to Unseat Netanyahu Have Failed, He’s Here to Stay
ANALYSIS: Israel Now Fighting Iran on Four Fronts
President “fears for Israel” as he taps Netanyahu to lead government
Netanyahu Chastises Son Over Shameful Tweet
Popular Vote, or Divine Lot?
Who Are the Balfour St. Protestors, and What Do They Want?
Reductio ad Hitlerum: Netanyahu the Judeo-Nazi
Water Hoses and Revolution: What’s Happening in Israel
Netanyahu Rival Hires Anti-Trump Republican Advisors
Netanyahu, Israel’s Modern-Day Prophet?
Has Netanyahu Lost His ‘Magic’?
Continued Uncertainty for Israel: Netanyahu Fails to Form a Coalition
Israel’s New Government: Between Apathy and Rage
Why Does Netanyahu Want to Microchip Our Kids?
Political Trinity? Netanyahu Proposes 3-Way Premiership
The Pink Ladies and Israel’s Descent Into Anarchy
“Bibi is King Saul and I’m his successor”
Ego is More Dangerous Than Coronavirus
Balance in Life
Netanyahu Thought Pfizer Vaccine Would Get Him Reelected, Suggests Bourla
‘God Has Had Mercy on Israel!’ Rabbis Rejoice Over Fall of Bennett-Lapid Gov’t
Who Will Mend Israel’s Fractured Political Landscape?
Israelis Don’t Like Their Leaders, But What’s the Alternative?
Netanyahu’s Demise Will Come From the Right
Reports: Current Gaza Fighting is Netanyahu’s Revenge
Netanyahu Begins Building His Coalition
Netanyahu Accused of Exploiting the Holocaust
Israel Flirts With Another Pointless Election
Only members can read and write comments.