9 sept 2016
Israel-based rabbi Aharon Goldberg and Shimen Liebowitz suspected of paying an individual around $60,000 to kidnap, torture and murder a man whose wife wanted to divorce him; the recruit instead turned to the FBI and became an informant.
A rabbi and another Orthodox Jewish man were arrested in New York in connection with a plot to kidnap and murder a man whose wife wanted to divorce him, federal officials said on Wednesday.
Israel-based rabbi Aharon Goldberg, 55, and Shimen Liebowitz, 25, were taken into custody in Central Valley, New York, while meeting to discuss the plot on Tuesday, the Manhattan US Attorney's Office said in a statement.
The statement said they were charged with one count each of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, and conspiracy to commit murder for hire.
Xavier Donaldson, an attorney for Goldberg, declined to comment when reached by email on Wednesday night. An attorney for Liebowitz, who prosecutors said is a member of Satmar Hasidic community in Kiryas Joel, New York, could not be immediately reached for comment.
Prosecutors said Liebowitz and Goldberg recruited an individual to carry out the crimes and force the man to issue a document called a "get" to allow his wife to divorce him. An Orthodox Jewish woman cannot get a religious divorce unless her husband consents through a get. Without the document, a divorce can only occur if the husband dies.
Prosecutors said the recruit contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation in July about the plot and began recording their conversations.
The group discussed kidnapping, torturing and forcing the get from the target while the intended victim was in the United States or on a planned trip to Ukraine, prosecutors said. As the plotting continued, the group decided they wanted the victim murdered as well, prosecutors allege.
In total, the pair paid the informant around $60,000 to carry out the kidnapping and murder.
A rabbi and another Orthodox Jewish man were arrested in New York in connection with a plot to kidnap and murder a man whose wife wanted to divorce him, federal officials said on Wednesday.
Israel-based rabbi Aharon Goldberg, 55, and Shimen Liebowitz, 25, were taken into custody in Central Valley, New York, while meeting to discuss the plot on Tuesday, the Manhattan US Attorney's Office said in a statement.
The statement said they were charged with one count each of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, and conspiracy to commit murder for hire.
Xavier Donaldson, an attorney for Goldberg, declined to comment when reached by email on Wednesday night. An attorney for Liebowitz, who prosecutors said is a member of Satmar Hasidic community in Kiryas Joel, New York, could not be immediately reached for comment.
Prosecutors said Liebowitz and Goldberg recruited an individual to carry out the crimes and force the man to issue a document called a "get" to allow his wife to divorce him. An Orthodox Jewish woman cannot get a religious divorce unless her husband consents through a get. Without the document, a divorce can only occur if the husband dies.
Prosecutors said the recruit contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation in July about the plot and began recording their conversations.
The group discussed kidnapping, torturing and forcing the get from the target while the intended victim was in the United States or on a planned trip to Ukraine, prosecutors said. As the plotting continued, the group decided they wanted the victim murdered as well, prosecutors allege.
In total, the pair paid the informant around $60,000 to carry out the kidnapping and murder.
8 sept 2016
The two Border Police officers who were filmed damaging an Old City resident's scooter have been suspended from their unit following a Police Internal Investigations Department investigation.
The two Border Police officers who were filmed damaging a scooter in Jerusalem's Old City last week have been suspended from their unit. This week, they were questioned under caution by the Ministry of Justice's Police Internal Investigations Department and released on limiting terms.
The investigation came after footage appeared to show two Border Police officers striking a scooter and breaking its mirrors. The Jerusalem District Commander of the Israel Police, Yoram Halevy, ordered that the scooter's owner, Kamal Jamal, be compensated for damages, depending on the results of the PIID investigation.
The Border Police were on a widespread operation in the Old City that night to prevent stone-throwing.
Najib Jamal, the brother of the scooter's owner, Kamal Jamal, told Ynet, "There were incidents in our area. They pounded on the door of our house, made a whole mess and started breaking the scooter with a rod." He didn't file a complaint with the PID because "I don't believe that it'll help."
The organization Ir Amim ("city of nations"), an organization that seeks "to render Jerusalem a more equitable and sustainable city for the Israelis and Palestinians who share it," complimented the decision: "We welcome the steps taken against the officers."
However, the organization emphasized "that eliminating the trend of police violence directed at residents of east Jerusalem will only be possible with a police change in perception that maintaining security in Jerusalem should also include maintaining the well-being, property and dignity of its Palestinian residents."
The two Border Police officers who were filmed damaging a scooter in Jerusalem's Old City last week have been suspended from their unit. This week, they were questioned under caution by the Ministry of Justice's Police Internal Investigations Department and released on limiting terms.
The investigation came after footage appeared to show two Border Police officers striking a scooter and breaking its mirrors. The Jerusalem District Commander of the Israel Police, Yoram Halevy, ordered that the scooter's owner, Kamal Jamal, be compensated for damages, depending on the results of the PIID investigation.
The Border Police were on a widespread operation in the Old City that night to prevent stone-throwing.
Najib Jamal, the brother of the scooter's owner, Kamal Jamal, told Ynet, "There were incidents in our area. They pounded on the door of our house, made a whole mess and started breaking the scooter with a rod." He didn't file a complaint with the PID because "I don't believe that it'll help."
The organization Ir Amim ("city of nations"), an organization that seeks "to render Jerusalem a more equitable and sustainable city for the Israelis and Palestinians who share it," complimented the decision: "We welcome the steps taken against the officers."
However, the organization emphasized "that eliminating the trend of police violence directed at residents of east Jerusalem will only be possible with a police change in perception that maintaining security in Jerusalem should also include maintaining the well-being, property and dignity of its Palestinian residents."
A group of Haredim burst into the house of Kiryat Gat's chief rabbi and three were arrested. They opposed his support for an IDF–Chabad arrangement to permit some yeshiva students to leave the country if they enlist if unmarried at 26.
Three ultra-Orthodox Jews belonging to the anti-Zionist Neturei Karta sect were arrested on Wednesday night after breaking into the home of Moshe Havlin, the Ashkenazi chief rabbi of Kiryat Gat. Their break-in was apparently motivated by Havlin's support of the IDF draft arrangement for Chabad Lubavitch Hassidim, of which Havlin is a member.
The arrested men tore photographs from the walls of the chief rabbi's house and blew on a shofar. They detention was extended to four days.
Havlin also works as the director of the Chabad yeshiva in Kiryat Gat. Late Wednesday night, some ten Haredi protestors entered the rabbi's home. The police ascertained that they were creating a public disturbance and violating Havlin's privacy and arrested three, who were taken for questioning. They refused to identify themselves.
Havlin recounted to Ynet, "About 25 young men came and knocked on the door. I thought that is somebody who needed something from me because lots of people are used to coming to me at home.
"I opened the door, and they burst in, pushing me and coming into my house. My wife fainted. They started yelling and blowing on a shofar, tearing pictures and placards from the walls, yelling insults and attacking me. It was extremely frightening, but I wasn't deterred. My views are clear. I support the arrangement for drafting yeshiva students to the IDF. I am a Zionist, and I love Israel."
Chabad students generally complete their seventh year of studies (at around the age of 20–21) at Lubavitch World Headquarters in Brooklyn. Because the IDF forbids non-enlisting yeshiva students from exiting the country, Chabad rabbis asked for a special dispensation for their students, explaining that the trip to the US is part of their curriculum.
Thus, the arrangement to which Havlin referred was signed between the parties, setting that the students could leave the country on the condition that they agreed to enlist at the age of 26. However, as the great majority of the Chabad students are expected to be married by that age, they will receive a waiver for their military service.
This agreement has attracted criticism from rabbis and yeshiva heads of Hassidism inside the Haredi population, especially from the more extremist elements. According to them, while the arrangement is purely declarative, it is the thin edge of the wedge that will bring IDF enlistment for additional yeshiva students outside of Chabad.
Three ultra-Orthodox Jews belonging to the anti-Zionist Neturei Karta sect were arrested on Wednesday night after breaking into the home of Moshe Havlin, the Ashkenazi chief rabbi of Kiryat Gat. Their break-in was apparently motivated by Havlin's support of the IDF draft arrangement for Chabad Lubavitch Hassidim, of which Havlin is a member.
The arrested men tore photographs from the walls of the chief rabbi's house and blew on a shofar. They detention was extended to four days.
Havlin also works as the director of the Chabad yeshiva in Kiryat Gat. Late Wednesday night, some ten Haredi protestors entered the rabbi's home. The police ascertained that they were creating a public disturbance and violating Havlin's privacy and arrested three, who were taken for questioning. They refused to identify themselves.
Havlin recounted to Ynet, "About 25 young men came and knocked on the door. I thought that is somebody who needed something from me because lots of people are used to coming to me at home.
"I opened the door, and they burst in, pushing me and coming into my house. My wife fainted. They started yelling and blowing on a shofar, tearing pictures and placards from the walls, yelling insults and attacking me. It was extremely frightening, but I wasn't deterred. My views are clear. I support the arrangement for drafting yeshiva students to the IDF. I am a Zionist, and I love Israel."
Chabad students generally complete their seventh year of studies (at around the age of 20–21) at Lubavitch World Headquarters in Brooklyn. Because the IDF forbids non-enlisting yeshiva students from exiting the country, Chabad rabbis asked for a special dispensation for their students, explaining that the trip to the US is part of their curriculum.
Thus, the arrangement to which Havlin referred was signed between the parties, setting that the students could leave the country on the condition that they agreed to enlist at the age of 26. However, as the great majority of the Chabad students are expected to be married by that age, they will receive a waiver for their military service.
This agreement has attracted criticism from rabbis and yeshiva heads of Hassidism inside the Haredi population, especially from the more extremist elements. According to them, while the arrangement is purely declarative, it is the thin edge of the wedge that will bring IDF enlistment for additional yeshiva students outside of Chabad.
7 sept 2016
Netanya Mayor Miriam Feirberg
The Mayor of Netanya has been detained in a massive wave of arrests of Netanya municipality workers on suspicion of accepting bribes to push construction projects in the city; her son allegedly took the money and distributed it to the various municipal workers.
Netanya Mayor Miriam Feirberg-Ikarwas arrived at the offices of the Lahav 443 investigations unit of the Israel police, where she was questioned over bribery allegations. Another city official along with three other suspects were also arrested on charges of bribery, fraud, and money laundering. Two building contractors were also arrested, along with another person close to a high ranking city official.
Nati Simchoni, who has represented Feirberg in the past, said that "Mrs. Feirberg has been the Mayor of Netanya for 18 years, and has filled various positions in the municipality for four decades. Mrs. Feirberg has worked in a loyal and honest manner, and would never be attached to something like this, as her conduct is impeccable… Mrs. Feirberg respects law enforcement, and will cooperate with investigators so that the truth will come out."
This new wave of arrests is being carried out after the lengthening of the detention of four suspects on Tuesday, amongst them Tsafrir Feirberg, the mayor's son. He has been held for five days so far.
High ranking municipal officials and those close to them are suspected of working to advance the interests of several builders and developers in the city of Netanya after receiving bribes and other favors. The city officials were allegedly working with a conflict of interest without reporting it, along with receiving bribes, being involved with fraud, and being involved with money laundering.
Police and investigators from the Tax Authority searched the homes of the suspects on Wednesday morning, while freezing accounts and assets in case the relevant authorities need to seize them.
In addition to the arrest of Mayor Feirberg, the Rishon LeZion court has lengthened the detention of contractor and developer Avraham Tshuva by two days. Lawyer Avraham Gogeeg will remain in custody for five more days, while architect Gabu Tatro will remain in custody eight more days.
The police claim that Tsafrir Feriberg received bribes for another person for promoting construction projects across Netanya. The police further claim that the beneficiaries of the bribes were high ranking Netanya officials. Police also alleged that Mayor Feirberg is involved.
Judge Amit Michaels noted that "there is reasonable suspicion that all the suspects are connected. The investigation has painted a bleak picture which shows that several high ranking municipal officials were connected to equity holders for the purposes of pushing (building) projects and land improvement projects in the city, and received benefits totaling millions of Shekels. Several of the projects were carried out systematically with many different municipal officials involved."
The Mayor of Netanya has been detained in a massive wave of arrests of Netanya municipality workers on suspicion of accepting bribes to push construction projects in the city; her son allegedly took the money and distributed it to the various municipal workers.
Netanya Mayor Miriam Feirberg-Ikarwas arrived at the offices of the Lahav 443 investigations unit of the Israel police, where she was questioned over bribery allegations. Another city official along with three other suspects were also arrested on charges of bribery, fraud, and money laundering. Two building contractors were also arrested, along with another person close to a high ranking city official.
Nati Simchoni, who has represented Feirberg in the past, said that "Mrs. Feirberg has been the Mayor of Netanya for 18 years, and has filled various positions in the municipality for four decades. Mrs. Feirberg has worked in a loyal and honest manner, and would never be attached to something like this, as her conduct is impeccable… Mrs. Feirberg respects law enforcement, and will cooperate with investigators so that the truth will come out."
This new wave of arrests is being carried out after the lengthening of the detention of four suspects on Tuesday, amongst them Tsafrir Feirberg, the mayor's son. He has been held for five days so far.
High ranking municipal officials and those close to them are suspected of working to advance the interests of several builders and developers in the city of Netanya after receiving bribes and other favors. The city officials were allegedly working with a conflict of interest without reporting it, along with receiving bribes, being involved with fraud, and being involved with money laundering.
Police and investigators from the Tax Authority searched the homes of the suspects on Wednesday morning, while freezing accounts and assets in case the relevant authorities need to seize them.
In addition to the arrest of Mayor Feirberg, the Rishon LeZion court has lengthened the detention of contractor and developer Avraham Tshuva by two days. Lawyer Avraham Gogeeg will remain in custody for five more days, while architect Gabu Tatro will remain in custody eight more days.
The police claim that Tsafrir Feriberg received bribes for another person for promoting construction projects across Netanya. The police further claim that the beneficiaries of the bribes were high ranking Netanya officials. Police also alleged that Mayor Feirberg is involved.
Judge Amit Michaels noted that "there is reasonable suspicion that all the suspects are connected. The investigation has painted a bleak picture which shows that several high ranking municipal officials were connected to equity holders for the purposes of pushing (building) projects and land improvement projects in the city, and received benefits totaling millions of Shekels. Several of the projects were carried out systematically with many different municipal officials involved."
6 sept 2016
While search and rescue forces are still working to locate three missing people, police have made the first arrest in the investigation of the subterranean parking structure collapse; a gag order has been placed on the identity of the arrested individual as well as the entire investigation.
Police made the first arrest Tuesday evening in the case surrounding the collapse of the underground parking lot in Tel Aviv which left 3 dead, dozens injured and five missing. The arrest comes just a day-and-a-half after the collapse as rescue forces continue in their efforts to locate three people that are still missing.
A gag order has been imposed on the details of the investigation, including the identity of the arrested individual.
Another body was pulled from the rubble Tuesday afternoon after rescue teams continued their search throughout the night. However, three people remain trapped—two residents of Acre and a Palestinian from the Dawabsheh family.
Rescue forces still believe it is possible to reach the trapped people. Lt. Sami Yehezkel, one of the commanders of rescue teams at the scene, said, "We are working with all the forces of the Homefront Command to reach those trapped. We are working at a number of locations we identified at the start through intelligence. This leads us to the most relevant places first."
"We are working with heavy equipment and all the means of the Homefront Command. We have the best methods in the world based on our unfortunately extensive experience in Israel and abroad," he continued. "Until proven otherwise, we are treating all of those trapped as still alive. We are operating at peak energy and professionalism and are ready to work 24/7 to find those still trapped."
Social workers and psychologists gathered Tuesday morning with the relatives of those still trapped to offer support and counseling. Jewish and Palestinian families both sat on benches in waiting rooms anxiously awaiting news on the statuses of their loved ones.
Yana Mashalov, the wife of Oleg Mashalov, who is still missing, said "My husband always said it was dangerous there. Two days ago, an elevator fell."
Police made the first arrest Tuesday evening in the case surrounding the collapse of the underground parking lot in Tel Aviv which left 3 dead, dozens injured and five missing. The arrest comes just a day-and-a-half after the collapse as rescue forces continue in their efforts to locate three people that are still missing.
A gag order has been imposed on the details of the investigation, including the identity of the arrested individual.
Another body was pulled from the rubble Tuesday afternoon after rescue teams continued their search throughout the night. However, three people remain trapped—two residents of Acre and a Palestinian from the Dawabsheh family.
Rescue forces still believe it is possible to reach the trapped people. Lt. Sami Yehezkel, one of the commanders of rescue teams at the scene, said, "We are working with all the forces of the Homefront Command to reach those trapped. We are working at a number of locations we identified at the start through intelligence. This leads us to the most relevant places first."
"We are working with heavy equipment and all the means of the Homefront Command. We have the best methods in the world based on our unfortunately extensive experience in Israel and abroad," he continued. "Until proven otherwise, we are treating all of those trapped as still alive. We are operating at peak energy and professionalism and are ready to work 24/7 to find those still trapped."
Social workers and psychologists gathered Tuesday morning with the relatives of those still trapped to offer support and counseling. Jewish and Palestinian families both sat on benches in waiting rooms anxiously awaiting news on the statuses of their loved ones.
Yana Mashalov, the wife of Oleg Mashalov, who is still missing, said "My husband always said it was dangerous there. Two days ago, an elevator fell."
5 sept 2016
Salman Amar, Mayor of Julis
Salman Amar, mayor of Julis, shot and killed Munir Labouani, a contractor and Julis resident after an argument broke out between the two. According to witness reports of the incident, Labouani attempted to attack Amar with a blunt object before being shot to death by Amar.
The mayor of Julis, Salman Amar, is suspected of the shooting death of Munir Labouani, a 45 year-old contractor, in the front of the council building. MDA teams arrived to provide emergency medical treatment on the scene, but were forced to pronounce the victim dead after resuscitation efforts proved to be unsuccessful.
Witnesses said Labouani was armed with a blunt object and tried to attack the mayor. According to further witness reports, the shooting was the result of a running dispute between the two men. Amar, who has a firearm license, fled the scene, but later turned himself in to police.
An initial investigation has revealed that the shooting occurred after an argument in the council building between residents and officials.
According to reports, Labouani attacked the mayor and one of the officials present, after which Amar pulled out his gun and shot him.
Taeed Quas, an emergency medical technician with MDA who treated the victim said, "A unconscious man was lying near the city council building suffering from a gunshot wound and bleeding in his upper body. We gave him medical treatment, which included stopping the bleeding and resuscitation, but the wound was too severe, and we were forced to pronounce him dead shortly after."
Shortly after the incident, dozens of people arrived at the scene and strongly condemned the act. One of the officials commented, "We don't know exactly why the shooting took place. This is something that has never happened before. We'll know all the details soon enough."
Salman Amar, mayor of Julis, shot and killed Munir Labouani, a contractor and Julis resident after an argument broke out between the two. According to witness reports of the incident, Labouani attempted to attack Amar with a blunt object before being shot to death by Amar.
The mayor of Julis, Salman Amar, is suspected of the shooting death of Munir Labouani, a 45 year-old contractor, in the front of the council building. MDA teams arrived to provide emergency medical treatment on the scene, but were forced to pronounce the victim dead after resuscitation efforts proved to be unsuccessful.
Witnesses said Labouani was armed with a blunt object and tried to attack the mayor. According to further witness reports, the shooting was the result of a running dispute between the two men. Amar, who has a firearm license, fled the scene, but later turned himself in to police.
An initial investigation has revealed that the shooting occurred after an argument in the council building between residents and officials.
According to reports, Labouani attacked the mayor and one of the officials present, after which Amar pulled out his gun and shot him.
Taeed Quas, an emergency medical technician with MDA who treated the victim said, "A unconscious man was lying near the city council building suffering from a gunshot wound and bleeding in his upper body. We gave him medical treatment, which included stopping the bleeding and resuscitation, but the wound was too severe, and we were forced to pronounce him dead shortly after."
Shortly after the incident, dozens of people arrived at the scene and strongly condemned the act. One of the officials commented, "We don't know exactly why the shooting took place. This is something that has never happened before. We'll know all the details soon enough."
Israel Police recruiting poster
Israel Police who raided an alleged brothel in a residential area on Sunday detained an apparent sex worker there who is performing her mandatory military service as a police officer.
After having received intelligence on its operation, officers from the northern district of the Israel Police raided on Sunday a brothel operating in a residential area. At the station, it was discovered that one of the detained sex workers is herself a police officer.
The woman in question is performing her mandatory military service with the Israel Police.
The investigative squad arrived at the apartment on Sunday afternoon and found there four women allegedly providing sexual services for financial compensation. They were detained for questioning by the police, as is customary in these circumstances.
After consulting with those in the command structure, it was decided that the police should not investigate the detained officer. The matter was transferred to the Internal Affairs Division, and the officer in question is expected to be questioned on Monday or Tuesday.
Sex work is legal in the State of Israel, though running brothels generally is not.
Israel Police who raided an alleged brothel in a residential area on Sunday detained an apparent sex worker there who is performing her mandatory military service as a police officer.
After having received intelligence on its operation, officers from the northern district of the Israel Police raided on Sunday a brothel operating in a residential area. At the station, it was discovered that one of the detained sex workers is herself a police officer.
The woman in question is performing her mandatory military service with the Israel Police.
The investigative squad arrived at the apartment on Sunday afternoon and found there four women allegedly providing sexual services for financial compensation. They were detained for questioning by the police, as is customary in these circumstances.
After consulting with those in the command structure, it was decided that the police should not investigate the detained officer. The matter was transferred to the Internal Affairs Division, and the officer in question is expected to be questioned on Monday or Tuesday.
Sex work is legal in the State of Israel, though running brothels generally is not.
4 sept 2016
The damadged back windshield of the Palestinian cab
An 18-year-old Israeli man who chased a cab that caused him to divert to the side of the road, and then fired an air gun at it, has been indicted for the fairly tame charge of firing at a vehicle.
The police and Shin Bet have arrested Moshe Yinon Oren, an 18-year-old right-wing activist from the West Bank Jewish settlement outpost Givat Ronen Aroussi, for allegedly firing a gun at a moving vehicle.
Oren is accused of firing an air gun at a Palestinian cab, following an incident in which Oren was forced to move to the side of the road by said cab. The air-gunfire pierced the taxi's back window, but no injuries were caused by the incident. The official indictment Oren is facing does not mention any nationalistic motives for his actions.
An 18-year-old Israeli man who chased a cab that caused him to divert to the side of the road, and then fired an air gun at it, has been indicted for the fairly tame charge of firing at a vehicle.
The police and Shin Bet have arrested Moshe Yinon Oren, an 18-year-old right-wing activist from the West Bank Jewish settlement outpost Givat Ronen Aroussi, for allegedly firing a gun at a moving vehicle.
Oren is accused of firing an air gun at a Palestinian cab, following an incident in which Oren was forced to move to the side of the road by said cab. The air-gunfire pierced the taxi's back window, but no injuries were caused by the incident. The official indictment Oren is facing does not mention any nationalistic motives for his actions.
Evidence found at Moshe Yinon Oren's home
Searching his home, authorities found the air pistol that was allegedly used in the incident, air gun ammo, several propane tanks, an empty 5.56 ammunition clip (the kind of ammunition used in the standard-issue IDF M-16 assault rifle), a slingshot, and a metal box with tire-piercing spikes. Oren confessed to the charges during questioning.
According to the indictment presented to the court on Sunday, the incident took place on August 24. Moshe Yinon Oren was allegedly driving an ATV , with the Palestinian taxi cab driving the opposite way. At a certain point, the cab diverged from its path, forcing Oren to turn away, onto the side of the road. The indictment claims that Oren then made a U-turn, chased the cab—in which five Palestinian laborers were riding—pulled out his air gun, fired, and broke the rear window.
Prosecutors came to the conclusion that the motive for the incident could not be discerned to have been necessarily related to nationalistic sentiment, and so Oren was indicted merely for the crime of firing at a vehicle.
Oren's attorney, Itay Rozin, responded by saying, "This is a young guy ahead of his IDF enlistment, who felt (he was in) danger as a result of the wild driving by the plaintiffs and used an air gun, which is a toy gun. This is not a 'price tag' action," later adding, "It's inconceivable that my client's place of residence would lead to the decision to have the case investigated by the Shin Bet, and (the decision) to bar him from seeing an attorney, while severely and continuously doing harm to his basic rights."
Searching his home, authorities found the air pistol that was allegedly used in the incident, air gun ammo, several propane tanks, an empty 5.56 ammunition clip (the kind of ammunition used in the standard-issue IDF M-16 assault rifle), a slingshot, and a metal box with tire-piercing spikes. Oren confessed to the charges during questioning.
According to the indictment presented to the court on Sunday, the incident took place on August 24. Moshe Yinon Oren was allegedly driving an ATV , with the Palestinian taxi cab driving the opposite way. At a certain point, the cab diverged from its path, forcing Oren to turn away, onto the side of the road. The indictment claims that Oren then made a U-turn, chased the cab—in which five Palestinian laborers were riding—pulled out his air gun, fired, and broke the rear window.
Prosecutors came to the conclusion that the motive for the incident could not be discerned to have been necessarily related to nationalistic sentiment, and so Oren was indicted merely for the crime of firing at a vehicle.
Oren's attorney, Itay Rozin, responded by saying, "This is a young guy ahead of his IDF enlistment, who felt (he was in) danger as a result of the wild driving by the plaintiffs and used an air gun, which is a toy gun. This is not a 'price tag' action," later adding, "It's inconceivable that my client's place of residence would lead to the decision to have the case investigated by the Shin Bet, and (the decision) to bar him from seeing an attorney, while severely and continuously doing harm to his basic rights."
1 sept 2016
Israel’s national unit has concluded an investigation into suspected wrongdoings by Opposition Chairman Isaac Herzog which included the acceptance of illicit contribution to fund negative campaigns against MK Shelly Yachimovich; available evidence does not substantiate allegations.
Police announced Thursday afternoon that there is insufficient evidence proving any suspected illicit activities by Opposition Leader Isaac Herzog (Labor). However, police have accumulated a plethora of evidence to bring Shimon Batat to trial, a former senior official in Herzog’s campaign team.
The evidence compiled against Batat indicates the falsification of corporate documents and the acceptance of prohibited contributions. Additional evidence has been found regarding transgressions relating to illegal contributions made by Gilad Ramot, an owner of a private company.
The concluded investigation was centered around the suspicion that Herzog received illicit donations that were never reported during the Labor Primaries in 2013. The investigation initially began over suspicion that a smear campaign against Labor MK Shelly Yachimovich was funded with improperly reported donations that might constitute an illicit donation. Herzog was later implicated in the smear campaign and was consequently investigated under the approval of the Attorney General.
In addition to Herzog, several other figures were interrogated as part of the investigation, among them Shimon Batat—a top official in the elections' campaign—and Gilad Ramot—a private company owner.
The investigation concluded that during the Labor party 2013 primaries, the suspected privgate company owner used 40,000 NIS to fund a smear campaign targeting Yachimovich, who ran against Herzog for the party's lead position. Herzog also signed a deposition saying that the State Comptroller was not informed of the supposedly illicit donation. Batat, who had run Herzog's campaign, was suspected of heading the smear campaign against Yaochimovich.
Despite these conclusions, the investigation did not manage to find evidence that linked Herzog to any criminal offense, as he was not found to have known about said donation. Batat and Ramot, however, did not get off so easy, as Batat was found to have falsified documents and receiving an illicit donation, while Ramot was also found to have received an illicit donation.
Herzog's office responded to the investigation's conclusion by saying, "Opposition Leader Isaac Herzog has received the police's statement, and he awaits the State Comptroller's swift decision on the matter."
Police announced Thursday afternoon that there is insufficient evidence proving any suspected illicit activities by Opposition Leader Isaac Herzog (Labor). However, police have accumulated a plethora of evidence to bring Shimon Batat to trial, a former senior official in Herzog’s campaign team.
The evidence compiled against Batat indicates the falsification of corporate documents and the acceptance of prohibited contributions. Additional evidence has been found regarding transgressions relating to illegal contributions made by Gilad Ramot, an owner of a private company.
The concluded investigation was centered around the suspicion that Herzog received illicit donations that were never reported during the Labor Primaries in 2013. The investigation initially began over suspicion that a smear campaign against Labor MK Shelly Yachimovich was funded with improperly reported donations that might constitute an illicit donation. Herzog was later implicated in the smear campaign and was consequently investigated under the approval of the Attorney General.
In addition to Herzog, several other figures were interrogated as part of the investigation, among them Shimon Batat—a top official in the elections' campaign—and Gilad Ramot—a private company owner.
The investigation concluded that during the Labor party 2013 primaries, the suspected privgate company owner used 40,000 NIS to fund a smear campaign targeting Yachimovich, who ran against Herzog for the party's lead position. Herzog also signed a deposition saying that the State Comptroller was not informed of the supposedly illicit donation. Batat, who had run Herzog's campaign, was suspected of heading the smear campaign against Yaochimovich.
Despite these conclusions, the investigation did not manage to find evidence that linked Herzog to any criminal offense, as he was not found to have known about said donation. Batat and Ramot, however, did not get off so easy, as Batat was found to have falsified documents and receiving an illicit donation, while Ramot was also found to have received an illicit donation.
Herzog's office responded to the investigation's conclusion by saying, "Opposition Leader Isaac Herzog has received the police's statement, and he awaits the State Comptroller's swift decision on the matter."
