Key Netanyahu Aides Charged in Witness Intimidation Plot

In a significant legal development that further intertwines with Israel's ongoing political drama, three former high-ranking advisers to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have been indicted for allegedly harassing a key state witness in one of the country's most prominent corruption cases.

The Indictment

The State Prosecutor's Office filed charges at the Petach Tikva Magistrate's Court against:

- Ofer Golan, former Netanyahu family spokesman and 2019 Likud campaign manager

- Yonatan Urich, who served as strategic advisor and creative director for Likud's election headquarters

- Israel Einhorn, former Likud party spokesman

The charges stem from their alleged harassment of Shlomo "Momo" Filber, a state witness in the high-profile "Case 4000" investigation involving Prime Minister Netanyahu.

The Alleged Harassment Campaign

According to the indictment, the events unfolded in August 2019, when the three defendants allegedly orchestrated a coordinated harassment campaign targeting Filber, the former Director-General of the Communications Ministry. The prosecution details a carefully planned operation where the defendants:

- Rented a vehicle equipped with a loudspeaker system

- Deployed two operatives to Filber's Petach Tikva residence

- Prepared and played specific audio messages aimed at pressuring the state witness

The harassment allegedly included broadcasting messages outside Filber's home, with pointed accusations such as: "Momo be a man, come out and tell the truth... what did they do to you that made you lie against the Prime Minister, what did they promise you?" The defendants also reportedly played recordings of Filber's previous statements supporting Netanyahu's actions in Case 4000, apparently attempting to highlight contradictions in his testimony.

Legal Background

The case emerges from the broader context of "Case 4000," one of several corruption investigations involving Prime Minister Netanyahu. Filber, as a state witness, plays a crucial role in these proceedings, having served as a senior official during the period under investigation.

State Attorney Amit Eisman made the decision to file the indictment following multiple hearings with the suspects, marking a significant escalation in the legal proceedings that have stretched over six years.

The Defense Response

The accused have responded forcefully to the indictment. In a joint statement, Golan and Urich characterized the proceedings as "legal torture" and highlighted several factors they claim undermine the prosecution's case:

- Senior prosecutor Dr. Chaim Wismonsky had previously decided to close the case

- Filber himself reportedly informed the prosecution in writing that he was not harassed and had no interest in pursuing legal proceedings

- The Supreme Court has allegedly ruled that some police actions, conducted with prosecution guidance, were illegal and resulting evidence inadmissible

The defendants dismissed the indictment as "flimsy" and vowed to fight the charges, dramatically declaring, "They want war - they'll get war. We'll meet in court."

Implications

This indictment represents another chapter in the complex legal saga surrounding Prime Minister Netanyahu and his inner circle. The case highlights the increasingly confrontational nature of Israeli political and legal disputes, particularly regarding corruption investigations and the treatment of state witnesses.

The prosecution's decision to pursue charges despite the documented challenges suggests their confidence in the evidence and the seriousness with which they view attempts to influence state witnesses, even through indirect means such as public pressure campaigns.

In the quiet streets where Shlomo Filber once faced those booming speakers, a fundamental question echoes: How does a democracy protect its witnesses while preserving the right to political protest? The answer may emerge from this very courthouse, as a case that began with nighttime broadcasts grows into a landmark battle over the lines between political pressure and witness harassment.