Tzachi Braverman, Chief of Staff to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is under investigation by Israeli police for allegedly altering documents concerning the 7 October Hamas attack. Reports suggest Braverman changed the recorded time of a phone call to Netanyahu, seemingly to cast the Prime Minister’s actions in a better light during the crisis.
The case centers on two key phone calls made by Major General Avi Gil, Netanyahu’s military secretary at the time. The first call occurred at 06:29, as the Hamas assault began. However, Netanyahu reportedly did not take immediate action, instead instructing Gil to call back in ten minutes. During the second call at 06:40, Netanyahu issued directives to conduct a situational assessment. Braverman is accused of altering the timestamp of the second call to suggest it was the first, implying swifter decision-making by Netanyahu.
Braverman, who has been questioned for over five hours by the Lahav 433 major crimes unit, denies manipulating the record beyond adjusting the time to what he believes was accurate. He asserts the first call was indeed received at 06:29 and insists that his correction was based on this fact.
This controversy arises amid widespread criticism of Netanyahu’s handling of the 7 October attack, considered Israel’s most significant military and intelligence failure since its founding in 1948. Several high-ranking military officials have resigned in its aftermath, though Netanyahu has denied personal responsibility, attributing blame elsewhere. Critics argue that as Prime Minister, he bears ultimate accountability for the failures.
Investigations into the systemic lapses during the attack are ongoing, with allegations that Netanyahu is delaying calls for a full-scale inquiry. This incident with Braverman could further damage Netanyahu’s reputation, especially as he faces an unrelated corruption trial, where he is due to testify next month. Netanyahu has dismissed the charges as politically motivated.
This situation could become a significant political liability for Netanyahu, potentially undermining his leadership amid already heightened scrutiny.
