Key Facts
Career & Education
About
Avichai Mandelblit (born July 29, 1963) is an Israeli jurist renowned for his extensive career in military and civilian legal roles within the Israeli government. He began his professional life in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), where he served as a military officer in the legal system, rising to the position of Chief Military Advocate General from 2004 to 2011, overseeing military justice and legal affairs during significant periods of conflict and internal operations. Transitioning to civilian service, Mandelblit was appointed Cabinet Secretary in April 2013, advising the Israeli government on policy and administrative matters until February 2016. He then served as State Attorney before being appointed Attorney General of Israel in February 2016, a position he held until 2022.
As Attorney General, Mandelblit played a pivotal role in high-profile legal actions, most notably indicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in November 2019 on charges of fraud, breach of trust, and bribery following a three-year investigation, in corruption cases to which Naftali Bennett was a key witness. This decision drew intense controversy, with Netanyahu and his supporters accusing Mandelblit of political bias and being part of a 'witch hunt,' while others praised him for upholding the rule of law. Mandelblit also indicted far-right activist Bentzi Gopstein in 2019 for incitement to racism and violence against Arabs, with support for terrorism charges specified. Throughout his tenure, he navigated complex issues including corruption probes, military operations' legalities, and tensions between judicial independence and political pressures. His career highlights his influence in Israel's legal and governmental networks, contributing to the oversight of major corruption and extremism cases.
Mandelblit, an Orthodox Jew, has been married since the early 1990s and maintains a low public profile regarding his personal life. Post-2022, he has largely stepped back from public roles but remains a figure in discussions on Israeli legal and political landscapes.