Court ruled: Kfar Saba Mayor Rafi Saar will not return to his position

The court extended Rafi Saar's suspension from his position as mayor of Kfar Saba until December 13, after ruling that the evidence against him had strengthened. The judge noted a real concern for obstruction of justice and rejected the defense attorney's request to reinstate him under restrictions.

The court extended the suspension of Rafi Saar, mayor of Kfar Saba, from his position until December 13, 2026, after ruling that the evidence against him had strengthened. Saar was arrested on October 12 on suspicion of bribery, fraud, breach of trust, money laundering, and tax offenses, following a lengthy covert investigation. According to the suspicion, he exploited his authority to advance the interests of stakeholders in the city in exchange for funds transferred to his wife with his knowledge. The judge rejected the defense attorney's claims that no direct evidence of Saar's awareness of the funds was presented, and ruled that there is a real concern for obstruction of justice, since a significant portion of the investigation activities involve city employees directly subordinate to the mayor. The decision prohibits Saar from performing his duties, exercising authority, or entering municipal institutions. The financial guarantees remain in effect.