7 dec 2017
Hazan cursed, threatened Ariel mayor, municipality director-general in 2014 incident after his mother's bank account was foreclosed; Hazan requests trial to be broadcast live on Facebook to prove innocence.
Likud MK Oren Hazan was indicted on Thursday for assaulting a public servant and misconduct at a public place.
Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit made the decision to indict after consulting with the State Attorney's Office and after Hazan's defense arguments at a hearing were rejected.
The incident took place before Hazan was elected to the Knesset. According to the indictment, Hazan assaulted Ariel municipality director-general Avi Ezer in October 2014 after the MK's mother's bank account was frozen after the mortgage on the family business "Baba Grill" went into foreclosure.
Hazan came to the municipality building and went from office to office trying to find out who instructed that the account be foreclosed. When he found out it was the director-general, he confronted him at his office with shouts and slurs.
Hazan also pushed him up against a wall and then followed him into a meeting room, where he turned around and locked the door declaring: "nobody is leaving here."
The harassment continued in the room until Hazan was removed from the premises. Hazan then barged into the mayor's office and began shouting and cursing him. The mayor demanded that Hazan leave his office, but the MK refused while continuing to threaten him.
MK Hazan's response: "I gave up my Knesset immunity, and I request a public trial to be broadcast live on Facebook, so that I can demonstrate the mayor's outrageous behavior and poor conduct, which violate the natural sense of justice. I will also show that the claims against me are baseless, similar to thousands of cases which are routinely closed, as mine should have been. It is strictly a political witch-hunt!"
Likud MK Oren Hazan was indicted on Thursday for assaulting a public servant and misconduct at a public place.
Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit made the decision to indict after consulting with the State Attorney's Office and after Hazan's defense arguments at a hearing were rejected.
The incident took place before Hazan was elected to the Knesset. According to the indictment, Hazan assaulted Ariel municipality director-general Avi Ezer in October 2014 after the MK's mother's bank account was frozen after the mortgage on the family business "Baba Grill" went into foreclosure.
Hazan came to the municipality building and went from office to office trying to find out who instructed that the account be foreclosed. When he found out it was the director-general, he confronted him at his office with shouts and slurs.
Hazan also pushed him up against a wall and then followed him into a meeting room, where he turned around and locked the door declaring: "nobody is leaving here."
The harassment continued in the room until Hazan was removed from the premises. Hazan then barged into the mayor's office and began shouting and cursing him. The mayor demanded that Hazan leave his office, but the MK refused while continuing to threaten him.
MK Hazan's response: "I gave up my Knesset immunity, and I request a public trial to be broadcast live on Facebook, so that I can demonstrate the mayor's outrageous behavior and poor conduct, which violate the natural sense of justice. I will also show that the claims against me are baseless, similar to thousands of cases which are routinely closed, as mine should have been. It is strictly a political witch-hunt!"
6 dec 2017
Arriving for 2nd round of interrogation at anti-corruption Lahav 433 unit, Coalition Chairman Bitan to be questioned on Rishon LeZion corruption scandal; Bitan is suspected of receiving bribes, colluding with member of crime family in return for clearing loan shark debts.
Coalition Chairman MK David Bitan (Likud) arrived to the offices of the police's Lahav 433 anti-corruption unit Wednesday morning to be questioned for the second time on his involvement in the Rishon LeZion municipality graft affair.
Bitan is suspected of bribery, fraud, money laundering and breach of trust offenses and of receiving bribes in return for promoting the interests of other questionable people, including a member of the Jarushi crime family, in return for paying off debts to loan sharks.
Speaking to reporters when he left his home, Bitan commented on the request he had made to allow him to give interviews and criticized police leaks. "It's customary for someone being questioned to be barred from giving interviews for the investigation's duration, but they should stop leaking. We petitioned the court and will speak about it there. I've received fine support from my friends at the Likud party. When I have something to say, I'll say it," Bitan said.
Bitan's attorney Efraim Damari said Wednesday morning, "I can only say (Bitan) is greatly relieved to be coming in for questioning. He wishes to clear the air and get rid of the rumor mill surrounding him. He'll be providing his account to investigators, answer all of their questions and will come in again if he is called. I can say with certainty both his account and replies are satisfactory. We've also appealed to the court to allow Bitan to respond to the leaks and rumor mill."
Coalition Chairman MK David Bitan (Likud) arrived to the offices of the police's Lahav 433 anti-corruption unit Wednesday morning to be questioned for the second time on his involvement in the Rishon LeZion municipality graft affair.
Bitan is suspected of bribery, fraud, money laundering and breach of trust offenses and of receiving bribes in return for promoting the interests of other questionable people, including a member of the Jarushi crime family, in return for paying off debts to loan sharks.
Speaking to reporters when he left his home, Bitan commented on the request he had made to allow him to give interviews and criticized police leaks. "It's customary for someone being questioned to be barred from giving interviews for the investigation's duration, but they should stop leaking. We petitioned the court and will speak about it there. I've received fine support from my friends at the Likud party. When I have something to say, I'll say it," Bitan said.
Bitan's attorney Efraim Damari said Wednesday morning, "I can only say (Bitan) is greatly relieved to be coming in for questioning. He wishes to clear the air and get rid of the rumor mill surrounding him. He'll be providing his account to investigators, answer all of their questions and will come in again if he is called. I can say with certainty both his account and replies are satisfactory. We've also appealed to the court to allow Bitan to respond to the leaks and rumor mill."
Hakoah Ramat Gan owner Yosef was also questioned
Hakoah Ramat Gan soccer team owner Gal Yosef was also questioned as part of the corruption scandal involving MK Bitan, it was cleared for publication Wednesday after police raided the offices of Yosef's soccer club in the city's Winter Stadium.
Yosef was interrogated for several hours Monday on his relationship with Bitan and regarding checks the latter gave him a decade ago when he was involved with loan sharks. Yosef was released after providing a monetary bail fee after the interrogation.
Yosef's attorneys Doron Noy and Tamir Sananas of the Noy-Sananas-Sperling-Hetzroni law firm said, "Yosef's interrogation focused on his ties with Bitan dating back 10 years. There is no basis to suspect any criminal wrongdoing took place and it appears his interrogators were convinced of the same thing, as he was released without limited conditions immediately after the interrogation concluded."
The names of additional suspects allegedly involved in the Rishon LeZion corruption scandal were cleared for publication Tuesday, with many of them linked to Bitan.
Bitan served as a Rishon LeZion councilman for 28 years, and was elected to the Knesset two years ago. "Most of what we have on the affair has not yet been made public," said a police representative at a remanding hearing Tuesday.
Bitan contacted the court through his attorney and sought to remove limitations placed on him, such as a ban on giving interviews. "My wife and I are being besmirched. I stand helpless opposite the tsunami of leaks from the investigating unit. As a public figure, I've avoided using the despicable tactic used by others to convey responses through the channel known as 'leaks,'" Bitan said.
Yosef's attorneys Doron Noy and Tamir Sananas of the Noy-Sananas-Sperling-Hetzroni law firm said, "Yosef's interrogation focused on his ties with Bitan dating back 10 years. There is no basis to suspect any criminal wrongdoing took place and it appears his interrogators were convinced of the same thing, as he was released without limited conditions immediately after the interrogation concluded."
The names of additional suspects allegedly involved in the Rishon LeZion corruption scandal were cleared for publication Tuesday, with many of them linked to Bitan.
Bitan served as a Rishon LeZion councilman for 28 years, and was elected to the Knesset two years ago. "Most of what we have on the affair has not yet been made public," said a police representative at a remanding hearing Tuesday.
Bitan contacted the court through his attorney and sought to remove limitations placed on him, such as a ban on giving interviews. "My wife and I are being besmirched. I stand helpless opposite the tsunami of leaks from the investigating unit. As a public figure, I've avoided using the despicable tactic used by others to convey responses through the channel known as 'leaks,'" Bitan said.
It was cleared for publication Tuesday that Bitan's wife Hagit was questioned and placed under house arrest at her sister's house until Thursday. She was forbidden from speaking to her husband to ensure they do not coordinate their accounts.
Police investigators presented Mrs. Bitan with printouts of the couple's joint account from the period her husband allegedly attempted to pay off his debts to loan sharks, estimated to have ranged in the millions.
The printouts showed a NIS 2 million deposit made on different dates seven or eight years ago. Mrs. Bitan denied the investigators' allegations and said that "(her) husband was managing the account and transferring funds. I have no idea what was going on with the account."
"You're just slandering my husband's name. We've been questioned before and the case was closed," Mrs. Bitan added, while the investigators insisted the printouts were genuine and suggested she follow up on them herself.
Bitan's driver Shaul Haknaani was also arrested on suspicion of facilitating bribery and was remanded for two days. Haknaani noted he was also Bitan's parliamentary assistant. Police said he was "up to his neck in his employer's dealings, personally involved in his actions and is his confidant."
Another suspect close to Bitan who was arrested is businessman Moshe Yosef, suspected of bribing public officials. Yosef, considered by police to be a prime suspect, is suspected of bribery and his arrest was extended by 12 days.
He was arrested Sunday, when the affair first became public and almost twenty others were arrested, including public officials and members of the Jarushi crime family.
Hakoah Ramat Gan soccer team owner Gal Yosef was also questioned as part of the corruption scandal involving MK Bitan, it was cleared for publication Wednesday after police raided the offices of Yosef's soccer club in the city's Winter Stadium.
Yosef was interrogated for several hours Monday on his relationship with Bitan and regarding checks the latter gave him a decade ago when he was involved with loan sharks. Yosef was released after providing a monetary bail fee after the interrogation.
Yosef's attorneys Doron Noy and Tamir Sananas of the Noy-Sananas-Sperling-Hetzroni law firm said, "Yosef's interrogation focused on his ties with Bitan dating back 10 years. There is no basis to suspect any criminal wrongdoing took place and it appears his interrogators were convinced of the same thing, as he was released without limited conditions immediately after the interrogation concluded."
The names of additional suspects allegedly involved in the Rishon LeZion corruption scandal were cleared for publication Tuesday, with many of them linked to Bitan.
Bitan served as a Rishon LeZion councilman for 28 years, and was elected to the Knesset two years ago. "Most of what we have on the affair has not yet been made public," said a police representative at a remanding hearing Tuesday.
Bitan contacted the court through his attorney and sought to remove limitations placed on him, such as a ban on giving interviews. "My wife and I are being besmirched. I stand helpless opposite the tsunami of leaks from the investigating unit. As a public figure, I've avoided using the despicable tactic used by others to convey responses through the channel known as 'leaks,'" Bitan said.
Yosef's attorneys Doron Noy and Tamir Sananas of the Noy-Sananas-Sperling-Hetzroni law firm said, "Yosef's interrogation focused on his ties with Bitan dating back 10 years. There is no basis to suspect any criminal wrongdoing took place and it appears his interrogators were convinced of the same thing, as he was released without limited conditions immediately after the interrogation concluded."
The names of additional suspects allegedly involved in the Rishon LeZion corruption scandal were cleared for publication Tuesday, with many of them linked to Bitan.
Bitan served as a Rishon LeZion councilman for 28 years, and was elected to the Knesset two years ago. "Most of what we have on the affair has not yet been made public," said a police representative at a remanding hearing Tuesday.
Bitan contacted the court through his attorney and sought to remove limitations placed on him, such as a ban on giving interviews. "My wife and I are being besmirched. I stand helpless opposite the tsunami of leaks from the investigating unit. As a public figure, I've avoided using the despicable tactic used by others to convey responses through the channel known as 'leaks,'" Bitan said.
It was cleared for publication Tuesday that Bitan's wife Hagit was questioned and placed under house arrest at her sister's house until Thursday. She was forbidden from speaking to her husband to ensure they do not coordinate their accounts.
Police investigators presented Mrs. Bitan with printouts of the couple's joint account from the period her husband allegedly attempted to pay off his debts to loan sharks, estimated to have ranged in the millions.
The printouts showed a NIS 2 million deposit made on different dates seven or eight years ago. Mrs. Bitan denied the investigators' allegations and said that "(her) husband was managing the account and transferring funds. I have no idea what was going on with the account."
"You're just slandering my husband's name. We've been questioned before and the case was closed," Mrs. Bitan added, while the investigators insisted the printouts were genuine and suggested she follow up on them herself.
Bitan's driver Shaul Haknaani was also arrested on suspicion of facilitating bribery and was remanded for two days. Haknaani noted he was also Bitan's parliamentary assistant. Police said he was "up to his neck in his employer's dealings, personally involved in his actions and is his confidant."
Another suspect close to Bitan who was arrested is businessman Moshe Yosef, suspected of bribing public officials. Yosef, considered by police to be a prime suspect, is suspected of bribery and his arrest was extended by 12 days.
He was arrested Sunday, when the affair first became public and almost twenty others were arrested, including public officials and members of the Jarushi crime family.
Rishon LeZion Mayor Zur was arrested as well
Rishon LeZion Mayor Dov Zur was also arrested on suspicion of involvement in the affair. Zur, elected eight years ago, appointed Bitan to be his deputy mayor. He is expected to be remanded again Thursday and is suspected of selling land to an entrepreneur he was friends with.
Investigators suspect the land on which the Lago Events Hall was built was purchased for less than market value and that Zur, who recused himself from council meeting related to the sale due to a conflict of interests, is said to have supported the sale from behind the scenes.
Rishon LeZion Mayor Dov Zur was also arrested on suspicion of involvement in the affair. Zur, elected eight years ago, appointed Bitan to be his deputy mayor. He is expected to be remanded again Thursday and is suspected of selling land to an entrepreneur he was friends with.
Investigators suspect the land on which the Lago Events Hall was built was purchased for less than market value and that Zur, who recused himself from council meeting related to the sale due to a conflict of interests, is said to have supported the sale from behind the scenes.
5 dec 2017
MK David Bitan files appeal requesting permission to discuss his graft investigation with the press, arguing leaks by investigators are tarnishing his and his wife's name; 'He has no opportunity to respond'; senior official remanded in case identified as Tel Aviv Deputy Mayor Arnon Giladi.
Coalition Chairman David Bitan (Likud) appealed to the courts Tuesday to remove a restriction imposed on him forbidding him from speaking to the press about a corruption probe involving his alleged past ties to the underworld.
“Even before the investigation was completed against Bitan and his wife on Sunday, Bitan was asked to sign a letter of commitment, forbidding him from talking to the media about the details of the investigation,” it was written in a request submitted to the Jerusalem Magistrates’ Court by Bitan’s attorney, Efraim Damari.
“Even though Bitan didn’t have to sign this document, in light of the immunity granted to him as an MK from arrest, he agreed, of his own good and free will, to sign the commitment to enable the investigative units to conduct the investigation efficiently and with discretion,” Efraim wrote.
Bitan, who is suspected of bribery, fraud, breach of trust, aggravated obtaining of illicit gifts and money laundering in the Rishon LeZion affair—centering on how he paid off his debts accumulated while he served as the chairman of the Rishon LeZion soccer team—wrote “the only demand by the investigators was to prevent details being given to the press and that was in order ‘to prevent disruptions in the probe.’ Due to the nature of things, and if the disclosure of details is liable to disrupt investigation proceedings, all the more so this restriction should apply to the investigating unit.”
But the notion of “living up to one’s principles,” the request continued, “seems not to have reached the ears of the investigative unit. The investigation of Bitan has only just concluded and you won't find a single news outlet in the country that isn't publishing extensive parts of the investigation of him and his wife, when there is a close connection between the two investigations.”
“It’s not only the leaks that are serious,” Damari wrote. “But they are also more severe when they are tendentious and intended to apply improper and unacceptable pressures on investigators in general.”
Damari went on to bemoan the fact that Bitan was being left to take the public media onslaught lying down.
“Against this flood of leaks, which can only have originated from the investions unit, Bitan is helpless, his name and his wife’s name are being tarnished and he has no opportunity to respond … Therefore, we ask that the court nullify the restriction Bitan imposed on himself,” the appeal concluded.
The Rishon LeZion Magistrates’ Court also extended Tuesday the remand of four people who were taken in Monday night and Tuesday morning in the Rishon LeZion case.
Coalition Chairman David Bitan (Likud) appealed to the courts Tuesday to remove a restriction imposed on him forbidding him from speaking to the press about a corruption probe involving his alleged past ties to the underworld.
“Even before the investigation was completed against Bitan and his wife on Sunday, Bitan was asked to sign a letter of commitment, forbidding him from talking to the media about the details of the investigation,” it was written in a request submitted to the Jerusalem Magistrates’ Court by Bitan’s attorney, Efraim Damari.
“Even though Bitan didn’t have to sign this document, in light of the immunity granted to him as an MK from arrest, he agreed, of his own good and free will, to sign the commitment to enable the investigative units to conduct the investigation efficiently and with discretion,” Efraim wrote.
Bitan, who is suspected of bribery, fraud, breach of trust, aggravated obtaining of illicit gifts and money laundering in the Rishon LeZion affair—centering on how he paid off his debts accumulated while he served as the chairman of the Rishon LeZion soccer team—wrote “the only demand by the investigators was to prevent details being given to the press and that was in order ‘to prevent disruptions in the probe.’ Due to the nature of things, and if the disclosure of details is liable to disrupt investigation proceedings, all the more so this restriction should apply to the investigating unit.”
But the notion of “living up to one’s principles,” the request continued, “seems not to have reached the ears of the investigative unit. The investigation of Bitan has only just concluded and you won't find a single news outlet in the country that isn't publishing extensive parts of the investigation of him and his wife, when there is a close connection between the two investigations.”
“It’s not only the leaks that are serious,” Damari wrote. “But they are also more severe when they are tendentious and intended to apply improper and unacceptable pressures on investigators in general.”
Damari went on to bemoan the fact that Bitan was being left to take the public media onslaught lying down.
“Against this flood of leaks, which can only have originated from the investions unit, Bitan is helpless, his name and his wife’s name are being tarnished and he has no opportunity to respond … Therefore, we ask that the court nullify the restriction Bitan imposed on himself,” the appeal concluded.
The Rishon LeZion Magistrates’ Court also extended Tuesday the remand of four people who were taken in Monday night and Tuesday morning in the Rishon LeZion case.
Benny Uziel
The remand of one of the suspects, businessman Benny Uziel, was extended by a week. Uziel is suspected of bribery, money laundering and having criminal ties.
Further developments were made in the case when it was cleared for publication Tuesday that the senior official from the Tel Aviv Municipality who was arrested a day prior in the case was the city’s deputy mayor Arnon Giladi.
Giladi was questioned in the probe for several hours at the police's Lahav 433 anti-fraud unit on suspicion of fraud and breach of trust. He was discharged after being questioned and placed under house arrest for three days.
Bitan and Giladi are believed to have maintained a friendship spanning a number of years, which was forged during their activities in the Likud political party.
The remand of one of the suspects, businessman Benny Uziel, was extended by a week. Uziel is suspected of bribery, money laundering and having criminal ties.
Further developments were made in the case when it was cleared for publication Tuesday that the senior official from the Tel Aviv Municipality who was arrested a day prior in the case was the city’s deputy mayor Arnon Giladi.
Giladi was questioned in the probe for several hours at the police's Lahav 433 anti-fraud unit on suspicion of fraud and breach of trust. He was discharged after being questioned and placed under house arrest for three days.
Bitan and Giladi are believed to have maintained a friendship spanning a number of years, which was forged during their activities in the Likud political party.
Bitan and Arnon Giladi
According to the suspicions, Bitan asked Giladi to resolve for a handful of people problems relating to the Tel Aviv Municipality.
Investigators are attempting to figure out whether money was subsequently taken by Bitan in exchange for the services.
Giladi confirmed during the investigation that he referred those people to the city's professionals to deal with the problems, as expected as someone who assists the public, but he also denied any knowledge of Bitan possibly taking payouts later on.
“I never concealed my long-standing friendship with MK David Bitan,” Giladi said during his questioning.
According to the suspicions, Bitan asked Giladi to resolve for a handful of people problems relating to the Tel Aviv Municipality.
Investigators are attempting to figure out whether money was subsequently taken by Bitan in exchange for the services.
Giladi confirmed during the investigation that he referred those people to the city's professionals to deal with the problems, as expected as someone who assists the public, but he also denied any knowledge of Bitan possibly taking payouts later on.
“I never concealed my long-standing friendship with MK David Bitan,” Giladi said during his questioning.
Shaul Haknaani
It was also cleared for publication on Tuesday that Bitan’s driver, Shaul Haknaani, was arrested in the Rishon LeZion case.
His arrest was extended on Tuesday evening by two days. Haknaani, who also serves a parliamentary assistant for Bitan, and is suspected of bribery.
It was also cleared for publication on Tuesday that Bitan’s driver, Shaul Haknaani, was arrested in the Rishon LeZion case.
His arrest was extended on Tuesday evening by two days. Haknaani, who also serves a parliamentary assistant for Bitan, and is suspected of bribery.
Zionist Union Chairman Avi Gabbay
Following the surge of recent allegations, investigations and indictments against members of the Likud, Zionist Union Chairman Avi Gabbay lambastes the right-wing party for what he claims is systematic corruption exemplified and encouraged by Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Zionist Union Chairman Avi Gabbay attacked the Likud over recent probes and allegations against their top officials, among them Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon, coalition chairman David Bitan and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"The real story is not Bitan, the real story is a culture of corruption led by this government. This is a party that is all corrupt," Gabbay said Tuesday morning in an interview with Ynet.
Gabbay panned Netanyahu for not "immediately telling Danon to board a flight to Israel" after State Attorney Shai Nitzan instructed the Israel Police on Monday to examine the allegations that the representative used public funds and donations to pay millions of shekels in "salaries" to dozens of Likud activists and their families in return for supporting him in the party's primaries.
"The prime minister basically says 'it's okay'" Gabbay asserted, criticizing the premier's inaction on the matter.
Speaking on police investigations, Gabbay segued to the corruption probe against MK Bitan over his alleged tender fixing and again criticized Netanyahu's indifference.
"I think that in such a case of a police investigation, there is definitely room for the prime minister to ask himself—is this the chairman I want for the coalition?" he pondered.
"The prime minister must send a message against corruption. To this day he only sent messages of fighting those who fight corruption."
Gabbay concluded by slamming the coalition, saying it "is not functioning and the public is paying this price," and offered the recent crises in the government surrounding the Shabbat as an example.
"I am always in favor of dialogue, but I am also in favor of knowing how to stand up for ourselves," he said, objecting to the coalition's concessions to the Haredi parties and the agreement to stop construction works on Shabbat.
"We live in a modern age. Maintenance works need to be done on Shabbat and there's no way around it, there is no other way to run a state," he said.
The Likud responded by rebuking the chairman over his purported hypocrisy.
"Avi Gabbay is throwing stones at the Likud from inside his glass house," the party stated, explaining that "just this month, the State Prosecutor's Office decided to indict Shimon Batat, the campaign manager of Isaac Herzog, for party funding offenses.
"Gabbay never once called for the dismissal of Herzog from the leadership of the opposition, so he should refrain from lecturing us. The sanctimoniousness of Avi Gabbay, who should know be closely familiar with police investigators after sitting in house arrest for five days, is a pathetic celebration of hypocrisy that the public does not buy into."
Following the surge of recent allegations, investigations and indictments against members of the Likud, Zionist Union Chairman Avi Gabbay lambastes the right-wing party for what he claims is systematic corruption exemplified and encouraged by Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Zionist Union Chairman Avi Gabbay attacked the Likud over recent probes and allegations against their top officials, among them Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon, coalition chairman David Bitan and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"The real story is not Bitan, the real story is a culture of corruption led by this government. This is a party that is all corrupt," Gabbay said Tuesday morning in an interview with Ynet.
Gabbay panned Netanyahu for not "immediately telling Danon to board a flight to Israel" after State Attorney Shai Nitzan instructed the Israel Police on Monday to examine the allegations that the representative used public funds and donations to pay millions of shekels in "salaries" to dozens of Likud activists and their families in return for supporting him in the party's primaries.
"The prime minister basically says 'it's okay'" Gabbay asserted, criticizing the premier's inaction on the matter.
Speaking on police investigations, Gabbay segued to the corruption probe against MK Bitan over his alleged tender fixing and again criticized Netanyahu's indifference.
"I think that in such a case of a police investigation, there is definitely room for the prime minister to ask himself—is this the chairman I want for the coalition?" he pondered.
"The prime minister must send a message against corruption. To this day he only sent messages of fighting those who fight corruption."
Gabbay concluded by slamming the coalition, saying it "is not functioning and the public is paying this price," and offered the recent crises in the government surrounding the Shabbat as an example.
"I am always in favor of dialogue, but I am also in favor of knowing how to stand up for ourselves," he said, objecting to the coalition's concessions to the Haredi parties and the agreement to stop construction works on Shabbat.
"We live in a modern age. Maintenance works need to be done on Shabbat and there's no way around it, there is no other way to run a state," he said.
The Likud responded by rebuking the chairman over his purported hypocrisy.
"Avi Gabbay is throwing stones at the Likud from inside his glass house," the party stated, explaining that "just this month, the State Prosecutor's Office decided to indict Shimon Batat, the campaign manager of Isaac Herzog, for party funding offenses.
"Gabbay never once called for the dismissal of Herzog from the leadership of the opposition, so he should refrain from lecturing us. The sanctimoniousness of Avi Gabbay, who should know be closely familiar with police investigators after sitting in house arrest for five days, is a pathetic celebration of hypocrisy that the public does not buy into."
Hagit (L) and David Bitan
The wife of the coalition chairman, who is suspected of fixing tenders to pay off millions in debt to loan sharks, interrogated for suspected money laundering; she denies the accusations, saying the bank account in question was controlled at the time by her husband.
Hagit Bitan, the wife of Coalition Chairman David Bitan (Likud), who was named a "central figure" in the Rishon LeZion corruption probe, was questioned by the police for the past two days as a possible accomplice to her husband.
Lahav 433 investigators presented her with printouts of her account from the period in which her husband allegedly acted to cover his debts in the gray market, which were estimated in the millions of shekels.
The printouts included deposits at the sum of about NIS 2 million, which were put into the account on different dates some 7-8 years ago.
Hagit claimed that "the person who managed the account is my husband and he transferred the money," as his account was under heavy restrictions at the time due to his debts, adding that while she was aware of movements occurring in the account, she has "no idea" what they were exactly, and that she let her husband use it because she trusted him, and still does.
She then accused the investigators of slandering her husband, noting that they were both "already questioned (about this—ed) in the past and the case has been closed," and asserting they were both innocent.
Hagit was sent to house arrest at her sister's home until Thursday, and was forbidden to speak with her husband for fear of them possibly coordinating their testimonies. She is suspected of money laundering.
Her attorney commented that "the police decided to take revenge on MK Bitan just a moment before he passed the recommendations bill. Why else would they suddenly 'wake up' and decide to investigate cases that were closed in 2010?"
While Bitan is one of the driving forces behind the effort to pass the bill, barring police from making their recommendations on indictments public, Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit personally authorized Bitan being questioned and the date of his questioning a month and a half ago. Senior law enforcement officials said in response that there is "no relation between current Knesset efforts to approve the recommendations bill and Bitan being questioned."
On Tuesday night, a local entrepreneur was detained for involvement in the affair. In the early hours of the morning, four more suspects were detained for questioning—two members of a crime organization, a municipality employee and a close associate of Bitan.
Apart from his wife, another confidant of Bitan, yet to be named by the police, has also been interrogated in recent days.
Bitan is expected to arrive tomorrow for further investigation, and the investigators are supposed to confront him with documents that ostensibly strengthen the suspicion that he received money from contractors and businessmen during his tenure as deputy mayor of Rishon LeZion and as a Knesset member.
According to estimates, the police are holding wiretap evidence in which Bitan is heard receiving bribes.
Bitan was in large financial debt and is suspected of, among other things, helping to promote the sale of land in the "Thousand Compound"—a large building complex in the western part of the city—to a businessman in return for him extricating him of his debt.
Lahav 433 detectives in charge of the investigation suspect that the businessman was actually a straw man who represented Hossam Jarushi, a member of the Jarushi crime family who was also arrested in the probe.
The wife of the coalition chairman, who is suspected of fixing tenders to pay off millions in debt to loan sharks, interrogated for suspected money laundering; she denies the accusations, saying the bank account in question was controlled at the time by her husband.
Hagit Bitan, the wife of Coalition Chairman David Bitan (Likud), who was named a "central figure" in the Rishon LeZion corruption probe, was questioned by the police for the past two days as a possible accomplice to her husband.
Lahav 433 investigators presented her with printouts of her account from the period in which her husband allegedly acted to cover his debts in the gray market, which were estimated in the millions of shekels.
The printouts included deposits at the sum of about NIS 2 million, which were put into the account on different dates some 7-8 years ago.
Hagit claimed that "the person who managed the account is my husband and he transferred the money," as his account was under heavy restrictions at the time due to his debts, adding that while she was aware of movements occurring in the account, she has "no idea" what they were exactly, and that she let her husband use it because she trusted him, and still does.
She then accused the investigators of slandering her husband, noting that they were both "already questioned (about this—ed) in the past and the case has been closed," and asserting they were both innocent.
Hagit was sent to house arrest at her sister's home until Thursday, and was forbidden to speak with her husband for fear of them possibly coordinating their testimonies. She is suspected of money laundering.
Her attorney commented that "the police decided to take revenge on MK Bitan just a moment before he passed the recommendations bill. Why else would they suddenly 'wake up' and decide to investigate cases that were closed in 2010?"
While Bitan is one of the driving forces behind the effort to pass the bill, barring police from making their recommendations on indictments public, Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit personally authorized Bitan being questioned and the date of his questioning a month and a half ago. Senior law enforcement officials said in response that there is "no relation between current Knesset efforts to approve the recommendations bill and Bitan being questioned."
On Tuesday night, a local entrepreneur was detained for involvement in the affair. In the early hours of the morning, four more suspects were detained for questioning—two members of a crime organization, a municipality employee and a close associate of Bitan.
Apart from his wife, another confidant of Bitan, yet to be named by the police, has also been interrogated in recent days.
Bitan is expected to arrive tomorrow for further investigation, and the investigators are supposed to confront him with documents that ostensibly strengthen the suspicion that he received money from contractors and businessmen during his tenure as deputy mayor of Rishon LeZion and as a Knesset member.
According to estimates, the police are holding wiretap evidence in which Bitan is heard receiving bribes.
Bitan was in large financial debt and is suspected of, among other things, helping to promote the sale of land in the "Thousand Compound"—a large building complex in the western part of the city—to a businessman in return for him extricating him of his debt.
Lahav 433 detectives in charge of the investigation suspect that the businessman was actually a straw man who represented Hossam Jarushi, a member of the Jarushi crime family who was also arrested in the probe.
