The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is at the heart of several sensitive matters, according to information revealed by Israeli media.
Four complex and potentially destabilizing files were revealed, involving accusations of manipulation of documents, leaks of intelligence, and intimidation of military officials.
Classified documents leak case
The most serious case concerns the leak of classified documents, which led to the arrest of five people, including a Netanyahu adviser and a senior army officer.
According to the sources, these documents, stolen from the Israeli armed forces, were transmitted to foreign media, with the aim of influencing public opinion on a possible prisoner exchange negotiation.
This scandal raises questions about information security within Israeli institutions and how such sensitive documents could have been made public.
Handling of documents relating to operations in Gaza
The second case concerns alleged attempts to change protocols related to military operations in Gaza. According to the accusations, Netanyahu’s office sought to alter these documents to influence future official reports on the failures of October 7, a date marked by serious attacks that exposed security flaws.
This attempt at manipulation could aim to protect the government’s responsibilities in the face of internal and international criticism.
Blackmail involving a senior military official
The third case highlights allegations of blackmail. Officials in Netanyahu’s office allegedly attempted to pressure a senior military official using a compromising video. In exchange for their silence, they allegedly demanded additional confidential information.
This use of sensitive documents to put pressure on the military highlights practices of intimidation which, if proven, could have serious consequences for the internal stability of Israeli institutions.
Video of the incident with Yoav Galant
The latest file concerns a video recording showing former Defense Minister Yoav Galant being prevented from entering Netanyahu’s office by security guards shortly after the start of the war.
This symbolic scene of tension between Israeli leaders was widely broadcast and could reflect internal conflicts within the government, in a context of crisis.
Reactions and ongoing investigation
These cases led the Israeli government’s legal advisor to authorize the opening of an investigation. According to the newspaper Maarivthis authorization could allow investigators to also look into the direct responsibilities of Netanyahu himself.
For its part, the Prime Minister’s office rejects these accusations altogether, calling them “pure invention”. However, the scale of the allegations, particularly those related to the leaking of secret documents to foreign media, raises serious concerns about the management of sensitive information within the government.
Use of “falsified” documents in negotiations
Separately, reports indicate that Netanyahu used some of these documents, some of which are considered “falsified,” to justify suspending prisoner exchange negotiations.
These documents, presented as evidence, were allegedly manipulated with the aim of justifying a more rigid policy towards opposing groups, according to Israeli media.
These accusations, if confirmed, risk aggravating tensions within Israeli public opinion, already concerned about the consequences of this affair on national security.
Growing pressure on senior officials
Meanwhile, investigations revealed that two senior officials in Netanyahu’s office allegedly extracted and distributed surveillance camera footage involving a high-ranking military officer, increasing suspicions of blackmail and intimidation. This situation led the Chief of Staff, Herzi Halevi, to receive a complaint claiming that the Prime Minister’s Office was using sensitive information to pressure military personnel.
Sorevelations surrounding the practices of Netanyahu’s office plunge the Israeli government into a deep crisis. As investigations progress, the Israeli public remains awaiting clear answers, while the country’s institutions find themselves confronted with questions of transparency and accountability.
The impact of these cases could ripple across Israel’s political landscape, as Netanyahu’s government attempts to confront both domestic and international challenges.
