Prosecutor Without Security Clearance Handled Sensitive Shin Bet PTSD Case
Ombudsman Menachem Finkelstein ruled that a Tel Aviv prosecutor without security clearance mishandled a sensitive Shin Bet veteran's PTSD case for over a year, requesting seven delays and violating security protocols.
Security Clearance Failure in Sensitive Shin Bet Case
A severe systemic failure has been exposed within the Tel Aviv District Attorney's Office (Civil Division). The Ombudsman for the State Prosecution, retired judge Menachem Finkelstein, has ruled justified a complaint filed on behalf of a female former Shin Bet combatant suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to her service.
The investigation revealed that the prosecutor handling the highly sensitive case for over a year did not hold the required security clearance. This security breach, combined with extreme bureaucratic foot-dragging, delayed the veteran's appeal before the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court under the Disabled Persons Law.
During this period, the prosecution filed seven separate requests for extensions to submit its response, repeatedly failing to document attempts to contact the applicant as required by official guidelines.
Contradictory Extensions and Lack of Oversight
The appeal was filed more than a year before the complaint was submitted to the Ombudsman, yet no formal response was ever filed by the state. According to the applicant, the handling prosecutor submitted six extension requests using contradictory justifications and falsely claiming the applicant could not be reached.
After a year of handling, it was discovered that the prosecutor lacked the necessary security clearance to view the classified files. This prompted a seventh extension request to transfer the case to a cleared prosecutor.
Ombudsman's Ruling: "A Grave Defect"
Retired judge Menachem Finkelstein declared the complaint fully justified, stating:
"Beyond the fact that this situation led to further delays, the lack of security clearance raises a fundamental difficulty, as it has the potential to harm the integrity of the proceedings and the principles of information security. This is a grave defect in the handling of the case, and the necessary lessons must be learned to prevent recurrence."
The Ombudsman also criticized the lack of documentation regarding communication attempts, noting it violates binding prosecution directives designed to ensure transparency and internal control.
Following the harsh findings, the Deputy State Attorney updated that procedures have been sharpened for all prosecutors and interns in the Civil Division. The Ombudsman's office announced it will monitor the implementation of these corrective measures.
