Court declines to extend key restrictive conditions on Netanyahu’s chief of staff

The Rishon Lezion Magistrate’s Court refuses to extend some key restrictive release conditions on Tzachi Braverman, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s chief of staff, ruling that Braverman’s position means it is necessary for him to be able to work during the ongoing war with Iran.

Judge Menahem Mizrahi therefore denies the police request to maintain a travel ban that has been imposed on Braverman, and denies the request to extend the ban on him being in contact with Netanyahu.

Mizrahi notes that due to the war with Iran it will be difficult for Braverman to take up his post as new Israeli ambassador to the United Kingdom, but says that the judicial order banning him from leaving the country is nevertheless annulled.

If Braverman leaves the country, he will be required to return should the police request he do so.

The judge does, however, prohibit Braverman from speaking with the prime minister about the investigation into the suspicions that Braverman interfered with an ongoing investigation. Mizrahi also extends a ban on Braverman contacting other suspects in the case until March 10.

The ruling will go into effect in 48 hours to allow the police the opportunity to appeal to the district court.

Braverman is being investigated on suspicion of interfering with an investigation and other crimes, in connection with allegations that he told Eli Feldstein, a spokesperson for Netanyahu, that he could quash a military investigation into Feldstein over the leak of a classified document to the German newspaper Bild.