The Rishon LeZion court on Sunday evening authorized the publication of the identity of the main suspect in the case of leaks of confidential documents: Eli Feldstein, former collaborator in the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to information now authorized for publication, the investigation was triggered after the Shin Bet and IDF identified “significant suspicions” regarding the disclosure of classified and sensitive information extracted from Israeli military systems. The authorities feared in particular that these leaks could “seriously compromise national security and endanger intelligence sources.”
The judge noted that these disclosures “could have undermined the ability of the security services to achieve their objective regarding the release of the hostages, as part of the war objectives.”
The investigation, carried out jointly by the Shin Bet, the IDF and the Israeli police, led to the arrest of four suspects, including some belonging to the security forces. The court clarified that “the investigation, which continues in accordance with the law and under judicial supervision, is ongoing” and that “any additional publication concerning the investigation could harm the investigation, its objectives and security national.”
In his decision to partially lift the publication ban, the judge said: “After examining the elements of the investigation and its progress, I am convinced that it is an objective and highly professional investigation which must be brought to fruition.” He added that the situation would be reassessed regularly by the court.
