"Hand Shakes Hand": Senior Municipal Official in Central Israel Questioned on Suspicion of Bribery

Investigators from the National Fraud Unit of Lahav 433 detained a senior municipal official in central Israel this morning on suspicion of bribery involving insurance agent Ezra Gabai. The investigators raided the official's home and office, seized documents and digital materials, and summoned additional suspects. The main case was revealed in November 2025 after about two years of undercover investigation, and includes dozens of suspects and senior figures in the Histadrut, Menora Mivtachim insurance company, and the political arena.

Investigators from the National Fraud Unit of Lahav 433 detained a senior municipal official in central Israel this morning (Sunday) as part of an investigation into suspected bribery involving insurance agent Ezra Gabai, who has already been questioned in the main case. The police raided the official's home and office, seized documents and digital materials, and summoned additional suspects to the unit's offices. The new investigation joins the main case that was revealed in November 2025 after about two years of undercover activity. The transition to the overt phase included raids on dozens of locations in the Histadrut labor federation, local authorities, and government bodies. Key figures were arrested, including Histadrut chairman Arnon Bar-David, his wife Hila Kanister Bar-David, and insurance agent Ezra Gabai – who have denied the allegations against them. According to the main suspicion, an organized mechanism operated in which veteran insurance workers were transferred to Gabai's agency in exchange for improper benefits, along with suspicions of improper influence on director appointments. In December 2025, the number of suspects rose to 71 people, and about 370 testimonies were collected. The investigation also expanded to the insurance company "Menora Mivtachim," and in July 2026, the police seized tens of millions of shekels from the company's accounts. Additionally, Minister of Culture and Sports Miki Zohar was questioned on suspicion of assisting Gabai in exchange for recruiting votes in the primaries.