Israeli prosecutors order investigation into Netanyahu’s wife

The prime minister’s spouse has been accused of witness tampering during her husband’s corruption trial

Israeli authorities have opened an investigation into Sara Netanyahu, the wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over allegations that she attempted to influence a witness involved in her husband’s ongoing corruption trial. 

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara announced the probe on Tuesday in response to an exposé aired by Israeli Channel 12 last week. “An investigation should be opened into suspicions of witness harassment and obstruction of justice regarding the findings of the Uvda show,” she said in a statement.

“The rule of law applies to everyone,” Baharav-Miara added. “We will thoroughly investigate any attempts to interfere with the judicial process.”

Channel 12 showed WhatsApp messages in which it said Sara Netanyahu instructed a former aide to organize protests against political opponents and intimidate a key witness, according to AP. 

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The trial of the sitting prime minister began in 2020 and centers around the charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust involving influence peddling and accepting inappropriate gifts. Netanyahu has denied the charges, calling them part of a politically motivated campaign against him. 

The prime minister defended his wife during a meeting of his Likud Party on Thursday. “These accusations are yet another baseless attack on my family,” he said. 

Sara Netanyahu has faced legal issues in the past. In 2019, she entered a plea deal admitting to misuse of public funds to cover private catering expenses. 

In 2019, she entered a plea deal in a separate case, admitting to the misuse of public funds to cover private catering expenses. She was ordered to repay the funds and an additional fine.