Feldstein, NCO to remain in detention as High Court studies intel leak case

The two suspects in the scandal involving the Prime Minister’s Office and the alleged leak of classified documents to the media will remain in detention for now after prosecutors appealed the Tel Aviv District Court’s decision to release them to house arrest.

Supreme Court Justice Alex Stein said today he was freezing the court’s order as he studies the details of the case. A decision is expected next week.

Eli Feldstein, an aide and spokesman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with an IDF reservist, are suspected of leaking stolen classified intelligence information that was then published in the foreign press.

The soldier is accused of leaking the military intelligence to Feldstein. Feldstein is accused of transferring classified information with the intent to harm state security, a charge that can carry a sentence of life in prison, as well as illicit possession of classified information and obstruction of justice.

The intelligence document ostensibly detailed Hamas’s priorities and tactics in hostage negotiations. Feldstein leaked it to German paper Bild with the alleged aim of turning Israel public opinion against a deal. Defense officials have said it later became apparent that the document did not necessarily reflect Hamas leadership’s position and that leaking it endangered intelligence sources.

Feldstein is accused of sending it the Bild even though he was aware that it was obtained illicitly and that the military censorship had barred the information from publication.