Police Investigations Chief Blat Apologizes to Prosecutors Over Recorded Remarks

Boaz Blat, head of the Israel Police Investigations and Intelligence Division, apologized to senior prosecution officials on Thursday, November 12, after recordings of his earlier criticism of the prosecution became public. In his response, Blat said the remarks were made two years ago, before he took up his current position. Blat said he had held the lower police rank of brigadier general at the time and that matters had not been as clear to him then as they were now. He acknowledged that disagreements between police investigators and prosecutors can sometimes become difficult, while describing their purpose as establishing the truth and serving the public as well as possible. “The prosecution is a trusted partner of the Investigations and Intelligence Division,” Blat said. He described the working relationship as one of substantial trust, respect and a shared professional approach. Since becoming division chief, he said, he had encountered a prosecution guided solely by the public interest. Blat also alleged that the current release of material about him was intended to divert him from his course. He said he would not be deterred and would remain loyal to the law.