Restrictive conditions on Netanyahu’s chief of staff extended until March 1

The Rishon Lezion Magistrate’s Court extends restrictive conditions on Tzachi Braverman, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s chief of staff, until March 1.

Braverman is being investigated on suspicion of interfering with an investigation and other crimes, in connection with the allegation 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.

Judge Menahem Mizrahi tells the police to update the court by that date as to when Netanyahu himself can given open testimony, which does not implicate him as a suspect, in the investigation into Braverman. The judge says that will allow him to make a ruling on the original police request for the restrictive release conditions on Braverman to be extended until March 10.

Braverman, who was designated to be ambassador to the United Kingdom in September but has yet to take up the post, is barred from leaving the country, and cannot contact Netanyahu or other officials in the Prime Minister’s Office, as conditions for his release from detention.