Israeli prosecutor opens criminal investigation against Sara Netanyahu, wife of the prime minister

Israel's state prosecutor announced on Sunday that a police investigation has been launched against Sara Netanyahu, the wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The investigation focuses on allegations of witness intimidation related to the ongoing case against Benjamin Netanyahu.

The investigation was initiated following a proposal by Israeli parliamentarian Naama Lazimi, a member of the Democrats, a secular Zionist party with social democratic and progressive policies. According to the Times of Israel, the investigation officially began on December 26.

The announcement comes on the same day that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to travel to the United States for a meeting with President Donald Trump.

Following the MP's request, the public prosecutor's office announced that proceedings would be opened by the prime minister's wife. In statements reported by the Jerusalem Post, Naama Lazimi called Sara Netanyahu a "convicted felon." Mrs. Netanyahu had previously been convicted of embezzlement after reaching a plea deal.

Lazimi added that the accusation against Sara Netanyahu is "important for parliamentary oversight, the judicial system and the rule of law."

According to the Times of Israel, the investigation is being conducted by the Israeli Police and the cybercrimes department of the state attorney's office.

The investigation focuses on a report from the Uvda program, broadcast on Channel 12. According to the information released, along with several recordings, Sara Netanyahu allegedly instructed Hanni Bleiweiss, her late husband's aide, to organize protests and an online campaign targeting Hadas Klein, a key witness in one of the cases where the prime minister is standing trial for alleged corruption.

The corruption case against Prime Minister Netanyahu was stalled due to the October 7 attack, in which Hamas terrorists invaded southern Israel, killing over a thousand Israelis and foreigners. This attack led to the ongoing war in Gaza.

In December 2024, Benjamin Netanyahu appeared in court for the first time during his corruption trial, where he dismissed the accusations against him by calling them "ridiculous."