A-G declines judges’ invitation to Netanyahu trial, says door remains open to talks

Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara will not appear before the panel hearing the criminal trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a proposed discussion, prosecutors told the Jerusalem District Court on Wednesday morning, despite the judges' suggestion last week that she attend.Prosecutor Yehudit Tirosh, conveying the attorney-general's position, said the senior prosecution team was authorized to represent her and regularly reported on developments in the courtroom. She nevertheless reiterated that Baharav-Miara and State Attorney Amit Aisman remained open to direct talks toward an agreed resolution of the case.“Having the attorney-general come to court when the prosecution team and senior prosecution officials are here is not the right way to proceed under the working procedures of Israel's prosecution service,” Tirosh said.“If the court is looking toward resolving the proceedings through agreement or a settlement, this is an opportunity to reiterate that the attorney-general's and state attorney's doors remain open to direct dialogue,” she added.Tirosh said the prosecution had responded positively to President Isaac Herzog's initiative to bring the sides into talks, but Netanyahu had not responded, leaving its willingness to engage unanswered. Talks must be conducted with A-GNetanyahu's lawyer, Amit Hadad, argued that the judges could summon Baharav-Miara regardless of her position.“Even if the attorney-general does not want to come here, she can certainly be summoned. I think the authority certainly exists,”