Following Zman Yisrael investigation: Ashkelon Municipality shuts down dubious funding pipeline

Following a Zman Yisrael investigation, the Ashkelon Municipality closed 'Ashkelon Network', a Jewish Agency body used to transfer tens of millions of shekels without transparency. The municipality rejected a council discussion on the network and commissioned an external legal opinion that the article claims contains contradictions and deceptions.

Following a Zman Yisrael investigation, the Ashkelon Municipality closed 'Ashkelon Network', a Jewish Agency body used to transfer tens of millions of shekels without transparency or oversight. The municipality rejected a council discussion on operating the network for the second consecutive time. The network, originally established as 'Woldenberg Network' and operating one community center, was taken over by the municipality in 2022 without a formal agreement, and began channeling budgets through it. The network's budget reached 16.5 million shekels in 2025 while accumulating a deficit. The municipality commissioned an external legal opinion from attorney Shahar Ben-Ami, which the article claims contains contradictions and deceptions intended to retroactively legitimize the engagement. Former council member Eva Totai attempted to get answers from Mayor Tomer Glam and the Jewish Agency, but was met with disregard. The Jewish Agency refuses to thoroughly examine the complaints. The article notes that the legal opinion ignores flaws in the engagement, and that the municipality's internal legal advisor, attorney Eyal Izman, disclaims responsibility.