Defense attorney Kinneret Barashi said Sunday on Galei Israel radio that former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit appeared unsettled during his testimony in the Netanyahu trial. "He's quite rattled. I have to give my impression," Barashi said. "He came and complained to the court that there are journalists harassing him because Ila Hasson and I asked him questions - so that's harassment."
Barashi said the judges appeared unimpressed with the complaint. "The judges, it seems, aren't buying it and told him: 'We have court security. We're sure if you're being harassed, they'll protect you.'"
At the opening of the session, Mandelblit had complained that a journalist attacked him while he was waiting at the courthouse. Shortly afterward, however, journalist Ila Hasson released footage of the encounter showing her directing questions to him while he attempted to avoid her.
Hasson said in response: "This morning Mandelblit chose to stand in a side corridor at the courthouse. I approached him and tried to ask questions. You're welcome to listen. At the start of the hearing he turned to the three judges and claimed a journalist attacked him. Lucky the incident is documented. Something is very off in Mandelblit's perception of reality."
