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Ariel Kahana: Weakness of bribery charge in Case 4000 was clear from the start

The Zioneer Intelligence Desk
Ariel Kahana: Weakness of bribery charge in Case 4000 was clear from the start

Primary source Internal intake · 1 reviewed intake signal · Desk window 08:27

TL;DR

Israel Hayom journalist Ariel Kahana said Tuesday that the weakness of the bribery charge against Prime Minister Netanyahu in Case 4000 was obvious from the start, noting he wrote as much in 2018 and was ridiculed. He accused a group of 'professional weak but self-important prosecutors' of putting Israel through eight years of 'total national insanity.'

01 · THE DISPATCH

Israel Hayom political correspondent Ariel Kahana published a commentary Tuesday morning reflecting on the collapse of the bribery charge against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Case 4000. Kahana asserts that the charge's weakness was evident from the outset, adding that he wrote similar criticism in 2018 and was met with mockery and accusations of being a 'mouthpiece' or 'corruption backer.' He contends that the episode proves a group of prosecutors—whom he describes as 'puffed up with self-importance but professionally weak'—put Israel through eight years of 'total national insanity' and argues that in a proper system, they should face consequences. The piece echoes themes that have emerged in recent days following the panel of judges' reaffirmed recommendation to drop the bribery charge—a development The Zioneer has been tracking since Monday. Multiple legal commentators and officials have weighed in, with some noting that the recommendation may force the prosecution to reconsider its strategy. Kahana's commentary, however, is notable for its personal retrospective and sweeping institutional critique. It remains a single-source opinion piece.

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