Sander, who for years worked closely with Herzog on political strategy and communications, has previously been linked to behind-the-scenes efforts to broker a unity government between Herzog and Benjamin Netanyahu after Israel’s 2015 elections. Their relationship, Haaretz notes, was seen as unusually close and based on deep trust.

According to the report, Sander later helped create an international team of political consultants specialising in digital influence and defence-related communication campaigns. In late 2022, shortly before the Greek elections, Herzog allegedly encouraged Sander to contact senior New Democracy figure Stavros Papastavrou. Haaretz cites sources saying that secret meetings between Israeli and Greek consultants followed.

A diplomatic source told the newspaper that Athens appeared cautious because of the domestic wiretapping scandal, which had already led to high-level resignations in 2022.

Israeli consultants reportedly travelled to Greece multiple times, with cooperation focused mainly on ND’s digital campaign strategy. While New Democracy failed to secure a parliamentary majority in the first round, it won decisively in the second, allowing Kyriakos Mitsotakis to form a new government. Haaretz reports that Herzog was kept informed about the progress of the campaign.

The newspaper also reveals that Sander’s relationship with Herzog has deteriorated sharply in recent months. Sander allegedly sent threatening messages to the presidential office, claiming he would leak sensitive information if Herzog advanced plans for a conditional pardon for Netanyahu. The messages reportedly referred to past discussions on the issue.

The Israeli Presidency issued a categorical denial, stating that Herzog had no involvement in Sander’s activities in Greece and merely passed along a phone number when asked. It also stressed that any consideration of a potential pardon for Netanyahu is taking place strictly within the president’s formal constitutional duties, without outside influence.

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