Court extends Kfar Saba mayor Rafi Saar's suspension until December 13

An Israeli court extended the suspension of Kfar Saba mayor Rafi Saar until December 13, 2026, citing strengthened evidence and risk of witness tampering. Saar is suspected of bribery, fraud, and other offenses.

The court extended the suspension of Rafi Saar, Mayor of Kfar Saba, from his position until December 13, 2026, after determining 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's arguments that no direct evidence of Saar's awareness of the funds was presented, and ruled that there is a real concern of obstruction of justice, since a significant portion of the investigation involves 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.