Netanyahu Aide Faces Indictment in Leak Case

Hebrew media reported on Monday that prosecutors intend to indict Tzachi Braverman, the chief of staff to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The planned charges stem from his alleged role in the 2024 leak of classified documents to Germany’s Bild newspaper. Justice Ministry officials signaled this decision following a hearing held last month. The specific counts include fraud, breach of trust, and obstruction of justice.

The case traces back to a suspected clandestine meeting between Braverman and Eli Feldstein. Feldstein serves as the primary suspect in the leak affair. Braverman is alleged to have informed Feldstein that an investigation into the disclosure was already active. He reportedly told Feldstein he could halt the probe if Feldstein had a connection to the matter. Feldstein and a second central suspect were arrested days after this alleged encounter. Prosecutors later indicted both men on charges of transferring classified documents tied to the Bild leak.

Feldstein and Jonatan Urich, a senior media adviser to Netanyahu, face charges for transferring classified information with the intent to harm state security. The disclosure occurred shortly after Hamas killed six hostages in Rafah. Israeli troops were approaching the hostages' location in the southern Gaza city but did not know they were being held there. The leaked material was an internal Hamas memorandum obtained by Israeli military intelligence. The document suggested Hamas had no desire to reach a hostage deal. Allegations state the paper was passed to Bild to bypass Israel’s military censor. The memorandum was approximately nine months old when it was released. Later reports indicated Bild distorted the contents to support Netanyahu’s position that Hamas was delaying the agreement.

Braverman’s legal status has blocked his appointment as Israel’s next ambassador to the United Kingdom. He is also under separate investigation for suspected forgery and fraud. Those charges involve the unlawful alteration of Prime Minister’s Office records concerning the October 7, 2023, attack. Neither the State Attorney’s Office nor Braverman provided comments on the Monday reports. The next step involves prosecutors formally filing the charges with the court.