"Eli Feldstein is being held under unreasonable conditions. He's not a terrorist and hasn't killed anyone," Israeli journalist Moriah Asraf wrote in a strongly-worded statement today.
"During this war, there have been many leaks and many who bypass censorship, including from within the security establishment itself," Asraf noted, questioning the prosecution's aggressive approach. "I can only hope there aren't, God forbid, political motivations at play."
"Even if they want to pursue this case aggressively, there are plenty of alternatives to detention," she argued. "They're treating Feldstein like a terrorist, and it's simply shameful. Anyone who values democracy should be very troubled by this."
Journalist Yaki Adamker added: "How was it justified to deny Feldstein access to his lawyer for 8 days? Why was he blindfolded like a terrorist? Why was he confined to his cell? Why does he face life imprisonment charges when everyone knows he had no intention to harm the state?"
These pointed questions from journalist Yaki Adamker highlight growing concerns over the handling of the high-profile detention case.
"For [Attorney General] Amit Isman, anything goes," Adamker wrote critically, suggesting the prosecution is applying excessive pressure: "It's 'bring down Bibi or die trying.'"
Eralier today (Monday) the Israeli media reported that a noose was discovered in Feldstein's cell, this after he told his lawyer that the conditions of his imprisonment are so intense that he would rather be dead than live like that.
Prison officials issued clarifications today about security detainee Eli Feldstein's conditions, countering several media reports.
"The detainee is not housed with security inmates," the Prison Service stated, adding that items found in his cell were "improvised from permitted materials." Allegedly, he removed a rubber window seal, which was then discovered – and not a noose as previously reported.
"The transfer to a supervised cell wasn't without reason," added journalist Amit Segal, explaining that everyday items have been used in similar situations before.
"He was transferred to observation as a precaution," the prison service source said, contradicting earlier reports about the severity of the situation. "Claims about a noose are exaggerated."
Both lower and district courts had previously approved Feldstein's release to house arrest under restrictions, journalist Amir Ettinger noted.
Bad blood between Herzi Halevi and Feldstein
Tensions between IDF Chief Herzi Halevi and Eli Feldstein ran deep before the arrest, journalist Yinon Magal revealed today.
"Halevi viewed Feldstein as Winter's ally," Magal wrote, claiming Feldstein once told him directly: "I admitted to the Chief of Staff that I leaked the document to Bild."
But Magal raises a pointed question: Why focus on this leak alone? "Countless sensitive materials were leaked, including a discredited Channel 12 video that falsely accused IDF soldiers," he noted. "That leak hurt our soldiers, our people, and maybe even our hostages in Gaza - yet Halevi didn't investigate it."
Tali Gottlieb weighs in
In a fiery Knesset speech today, MK Tali Gottlieb raised explosive questions about items reportedly found in Eli Feldstein's cell.
"I spent 22 years as a defense attorney. No strings, no belts, nothing that could be dangerous is ever allowed in detention cells," Gottlieb said, challenging prison officials' changing accounts from "rope" to "window rubber."
The Likud lawmaker suggested foul play, hinting at deeper involvement of security services. "Someone told him yesterday, 'You'll sit for 20 years, you'll end your life here,'" she claimed. "And I guarantee when you check the security footage, the cameras won't have been working."
Prison Service officials declined to comment on the allegations, which come amid growing controversy over Feldstein's detention conditions.
"Something's not right here,"* Gottlieb warned fellow lawmakers. *"And we all know it."
Even Netanyahu is (very) unimpressed
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly slammed his fist on the table during a heated discussion about what he called "fabricated leak cases," according to journalist Avi Rabina.
"After I complained about cabinet leaks, I sent a letter documenting horrible criminal leaks that severely damaged Israel's security," Netanyahu said. "At this time, no one has been investigated, no one arrested, no one's life [has been] destroyed."
"Yet here we are, destroying young people's lives," he continued. "Why weren't those other leaks investigated? The public isn't stupid - everyone understands what's happening here."
"I haven't found anyone saying 'death is better than life' with regard to those leaks," Netanyahu added, referencing recent developments in the Feldstein detention.
Eli Feldstein's lawyer, Ephraim Dimri, explains:
Dimri revealed troubling details about interrogation tactics, claiming authorities are using methods typically reserved for terror suspects.
"They're breaking people without laying a finger on them," attorney Ephraim Dimri told Maariv. Suspects face complete isolation for up to ten days, no legal access, and deliberate disorientation techniques.
Dimri described a system designed to disorient: investigators control everything from meal times to oxygen levels, even feeding false information from the outside world. "These are tactics for [people who are] ticking bombs, not document leakers," he said.
"Courts check if they have blankets and mattresses," Dimri added, "but who's protecting their mental state? After just two days of isolation, people start losing their grip. [I'm not at all surprised that he wanted to kill himself.]"
Last updated: 6:05pm
