Liat Ben Ari, senior prosecutor who led effort to indict PM, to retire at the end of the month

Liat Ben Ari, a senior prosecutor in the State Attorney’s Office who led the effort to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, announces her intention to retire at the end of the month.

Ben Ari, 59, says her role as Deputy State Attorney for financial crimes since 2019 involved a “heavy burden” of work and responsibility, leading her to feel she has accomplished what she can.

She insists her retirement is not connected to any aspect of the trial proceedings against Netanyahu in court at present.

Although Ben Ari was a leading figure in the State Attorney’s Office in bringing an indictment against Netanyahu, other lawyers in the prosecution have been pleading the case in court.

Ben Ari says that cases against Netanyahu are being managed by “an experienced and professional team of prosecutors,” who she says have been involved in the case “throughout the decision-making process and “the management of the case in court.”

Ben Ari was heavily criticized by Netanyahu and his supporters for her role in bringing the charges against him in 2019.

During the investigative stage of the criminal cases against Netanyahu, Ben Ari strongly advocated for the prime minister to be charged with bribery in all three cases against him, although ultimately then-attorney general Avichai Mandelblit only charged Netanyahu with bribery in Case 4000.

The bribery charges have been strongly challenged by Netanyahu and his defense attorney in court. The Jerusalem District Court recommended that the prosecution drop the bribery charge back in June 2023, telling the prosecutors a conviction would be difficult.