Official statements or press releases from the Shin Bet

Netanyahu Involved in Leaking Hamas Document to German Newspaper, Court Reveals

Jan 9, 2025, 12:28 PM

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was involved in the leaking of a top-secret document related to a warning about a potential attack by Hamas to the German newspaper Bild, according to a newly released protocol of a closed-door court hearing in the classified documents case. The document was leaked by Eli Feldstein, who acted on direct instructions from Netanyahu. Feldstein's lawyer, Oded Sporer, stated that Netanyahu was aware of the document and its leak, and that the document was handed over to Netanyahu five days before its publication. The case also involves Ari Rosenfeld, a reserve army officer accused of passing the classified information to Netanyahu's office. Rosenfeld is seeking a preemptive pardon from President Isaac Herzog, who has consulted with Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar about the national security risks posed by Rosenfeld. Meanwhile, Netanyahu's trial on corruption charges, known as Case 4000, will continue on January 20, 2025, as the Jerusalem District Court has ruled that there will be no changes to the charges.