Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara granted investigative authorities permission to carry out investigative actions involving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Maariv reported on Friday.
The authorization was provided within the framework of ongoing investigations into security matters and leaks related to the Prime Minister's Office.
The requirement for the Attorney General's approval to investigate allegations against a sitting prime minister stems from Article 17 of the Basic Law: The Government, which stipulates that a criminal investigation against a prime minister may not be opened without the Attorney General's consent.
According to legal procedures, if an investigation progresses in a manner implicating the prime minister in security-related cases, investigators must halt the probe until they obtain permission to continue from the Attorney General.
Following the Attorney General's decision to grant approval, investigators are authorized to proceed with investigative actions against the prime minister himself.
The Attorney General's office, along with the police and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), declined to officially comment on the publication.
Currently, investigations are underway into two security-related cases linked to the Prime Minister’s Office. The first involves allegations of classified document leaks, and the second concerns suspected attempts to alter protocols from the start of the war.
On Sunday, the Magistrate's Court in Rishon Lezion allowed the publication of the following paraphrased statement regarding the classified document case:
“The investigation commenced after the Shin Bet and the IDF developed significant suspicions, also spurred by media reports indicating that sensitive and classified intelligence information was removed unlawfully from IDF systems, raising concerns of severe harm to state security and risks to intelligence sources."
"Consequently, this could have impeded security agencies’ capacity to achieve their objective of freeing hostages as part of the war’s goals. As a result, a covert, combined investigation by Shin Bet, the IDF, and the police was launched, during which these suspicions strengthened considerably."
"Accordingly, an overt investigation began, during which four detainees involved in these activities have been questioned, including some from the security establishment and a civilian named Eliezer Feldstein."
"The investigation is ongoing, conducted legally and under judicial oversight. Any further publication regarding the investigation could harm its course, objectives, and state security.”
Additionally, the court permitted disclosure of the existence of the protocol alteration case, in which suspicions are being investigated regarding an attempt to modify protocols from the early days of the war.
The investigation includes allegations of attempts within the Prime Minister's Office to alter protocols from security cabinet meetings. Suspicions also include attempts to change the transcripts of phone calls between decision-makers, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.