Netanyahu’s office embroiled in new scandal over war cabinet recordings

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office is facing a growing new scandal over allegations that it ordered a halt to the recording of war cabinet meetings, a deviation from standard security protocols, according to local media reports on Saturday.

The controversy reportedly began on Oct. 7, the day Israel launched its offensive on Gaza. During war cabinet meetings held at the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv, security officials initially recorded the discussions, as required.

However, Netanyahu’s office allegedly instructed the military to stop documenting the meetings, arguing that recording was unnecessary, the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported.

Netanyahu formed the war cabinet after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, former Defense Minister Benny Gantz, former Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, and Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer. Netanyahu dissolved the council in June following the resignations of Gantz and Eisenkot.

Netanyahu’s office under investigation for blackmail

Adding to the controversy, Israel’s Channel 12 revealed that Netanyahu’s office is under investigation for allegedly blackmailing a military officer with a sensitive video to access and alter records from the Oct. 7 meetings.

Former military secretary Avi Gil reportedly alerted Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara of suspected protocol violations. The investigation coincides with a separate probe by the Israeli Lahav 433 police unit into alleged document forgery within Netanyahu’s office.

Five individuals, including Netanyahu’s spokesperson Eli Feldstein, have been detained as part of the probe, which runs alongside an ongoing Shin Bet investigation into the leak of sensitive intelligence.

These cases have intensified public concern over security practices and accountability within Netanyahu’s office, amid accusations of deflecting responsibility for perceived failures leading up to the Oct. 7 Gaza war.

Israel’s offensive on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, has resulted in over 43,500 Palestinian deaths, leaving the territory devastated and nearly uninhabitable. Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice over its actions in the blockaded enclave.