Prosecutor: Despite ‘phenomenal’ memory, Netanyahu told police 1,778 times he ‘doesn’t remember’

Jeremy Sharon is The Times of Israel’s legal affairs and settlements reporter

State Attorney prosecutor Yehonatan Tadmor at the cross-examination of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his criminal trial at the Tel Aviv District Court, June 3, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
State Attorney prosecutor Yehonatan Tadmor at the cross-examination of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his criminal trial at the Tel Aviv District Court, June 3, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

State Attorney prosecutor Yehonatan Tadmor tries to undermine Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s credibility as a reliable witness during cross-examination in court, pointing out that former senior aide to the prime minister and state witness Nir Hefetz testified that Netanyahu had a “phenomenal” memory and that Netanyahu himself recalled specific details about long-distant meetings.

Netanyahu tries to argue , claiming that some details of some meetings stuck out more than others.

Tadmor then points out that Netanyahu said 1,778 times during police questioning regarding Cases 1000 and 2000 that he “doesn’t remember,” and that his use of the phrase increased as the interrogation sessions continued.

“I am saying that you said ‘I don’t remember’ when it was convenient for you,” charges Tadmor.

Netanyahu denies the allegation, arguing that no one can remember every precise detail about past events.

Judge Rivka Friedman Feldman interrupts, asking, “When you said ‘I don’t remember,’ did you do it in order to avoid answering?” to which Netanyahu responds, “No.”

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