Retired justice Hila Gerstel, who police suspect was offered a bribe by a close associate of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has refused to confront the man who allegedly conveyed the offer to her in 2015, Channel 10 reports.
Ombudswoman of the Prosecution, retired Judge Hila Gerstel, attends a Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee meeting in the Israeli parliament, on January 27, 2016. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
According to the report, Gerstel, now retired, was asked by police to hold a confrontation with strategic adviser Eli Kamir, a friend of hers. Kamir is suspected of relaying an offer from Nir Hefetz, Netanyahu’s former spokesperson, to appoint Gerstel to the post of attorney general if she agreed to halt an investigation into the prime minister’s wife Sara.
Gerstel reportedly refused, setting conditions for such a confrontation. Surprised law enforcement officials are said to have considered questioning Gerstel under caution due to her refusal, but eventually decided against it.
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