Mother-in-law of Kfar Saba Mayor Released from Detention | First Publication

Rivka Simon Benadi, the 68-year-old mother-in-law of Kfar Saba Mayor Rafi Saar, was released from detention under restrictive conditions. During a search of her home, police found 190,000 shekels in a closet, leading investigators to suspect the money belonged to her daughter, Mitel. Benadi claims the funds are her life savings and compensation she received from the state. Her attorney argues she has no connection to the corruption case.

Rivka Simon Benadi, 68, the mother-in-law of Kfar Saba Mayor Rafi Saar and mother of Mitel Saar, was released from detention last night (Wednesday) under restrictive conditions. The arrest was part of the investigation into the Kfar Saba corruption affair, known as "The Road to the Village." The release conditions include a ban on contacting those involved in the case and signing a personal guarantee, without being brought before a judge again. After a search of her home, 190,000 shekels were found in a closet. Investigators suspected the money belonged to her daughter Mitel, but Benadi presented a different version: according to her, it is savings she accumulated from housekeeping jobs and compensation money she received from the state totaling about 150,000 shekels. Her attorney, Adv. Gadi Afriat, stated that his client has no connection to the affair other than the shared surname, and that she herself directed the police to where she kept the money. Her release does not end the investigation, but at this stage it was decided there is no need to keep her in custody.