Netanyahu Responds to Reports on Meeting with Aharon Barak, Denies Any Legal Link
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a detailed public response to media speculation surrounding a meeting with former Supreme Court President Aharon Barak. Through a social media statement, Netanyahu sought to correct what he described as misrepresentations regarding the timing and nature of their encounter, particularly in the context of his ongoing legal proceedings.
Netanyahu made it clear that the meeting did not occur shortly before any cross-examination session, contrary to some circulating reports. According to him, the conversation with Barak actually took place in January—around six months earlier—well before any recent developments in his legal case. This clarification aims to remove any perceived connection between the meeting and judicial activities.
Addressing the origins of the meeting, Netanyahu emphasized that it was not initiated by him or his legal representatives. Instead, he explained that Attorney Amit Hadad and his colleague, Chen, were simply responding to an external invitation. The Prime Minister strongly denied that any discussions during the meeting involved attempts to negotiate or suggest a suspension of the judicial reform process in exchange for legal considerations.
This particular denial holds importance, given the divisive debate over judicial reform in Israel. Netanyahu asserted that such claims were entirely unfounded and were likely part of a deliberate attempt to construct a false narrative.
Concluding his statement, Netanyahu criticized those spreading what he described as misleading impressions, asserting that these efforts are aimed at drawing unjustified connections between the meeting and his legal defense strategy.
