AG Mandelblit
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Mandelblit expected to ask PM to relinquish control over communications portfolio
Justice Ministry believes Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit will ask Netanyahu to transfer the ministerial position to another individual, fearing difficulties of defending him in the High Court of Justice.
Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit may seek to reach a deal with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, requiring the latter to transfer the portfolio, which he currently holds, of communications minister to another minister, according to assessment made by the Justice Ministry.
It is believed that the legal discussions on the issue will also touch on the matter pertaining to businesses magnate Arnon Milchan, who is involved in an ongoing investigation in which he is suspected of giving illicit gifts to the prime minister and his family worth hundreds of thousands of shekels.
AG Avichai Mandelblit (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
Milchan also has a vested interest in Channel 1, and as Minister of Communications, Netanyahu will be forced to make a decision on the regulation of the channel within the coming months, which is expected to have ramifications for Milchan’s businesses.
Milchan (L) and Netanyahu (Photo: Gettyimages)
Despite the close ties between Milchan and Netanyahu, the two failed to declare a possible conflict of interest. By contrast, such a conflict of interest was declared in the case involving Shaul Elovich, a friend of Netanyahu who controls the Bezeq telecommunications giant.
The assessment in the Justice Ministry is that in light of the developments in an ongoing investigation involving Milchan, Mandelblit might announce that there are “significant difficulties” in defending the prime minister in the High Court of Justice. He is likely to therefore request, or hint, that Netanyahu relinquish control of the communications portfolio or appoint a replacement.
