19 jan 2017
Civil Service Commission is looking into information according to which Yossi Cohen received gifts worth thousands of shekels from James Packer, the Australian businessman suspected of also giving illicit gifts to the Netanyahu family.
State Attorney Shai Nitzan was asked to determine whether to turn an initial desciplinary examination of the conduct of Mossad director Yossi Cohen into a full-blown investigation.
According to reports on Channel 10 and Haaretz, the Civil Service Commission is looking into information according to which Cohen received gifts worth thousands of shekels while he was the head of the National Security Council from Australian businessman James Packer.
These gifts include 6-10 tickets to see Mariah Carey—at the time was Packer's fiancée--performing in Israel and hosting Cohen in Packer's luxury suite at the Royal Beach Hotel in Tel Aviv.
Packer is also suspected of giving illicit benefits to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his family.
Recently, the head of the disciplinary department of the Civil Service Commission, Assaf Rosenberg, has asked the state attorney to determine whether to continue the initial examination, launch an investigation, or close the case.
Mossad director Cohen declined to comment on the matter.
According to Channel 2, the prime minister's son, Yair Netanyahu, was asked by police earlier this week mostly about the Netanyahu family's relationship with Packer.
The name of another businessman, multi-billionaire Arnon Milchan, was also raised during the junior Netanyahu's testimony, as someone who gave illicit gifts from time to time not just to the prime minister and his wife Sara, but also to their son Yair.
Prime Minister Netanyahu himself is expected to be questioned again in the coming days both regarding suspicions he received illicit benefits and suspicions concerning his talks with Yedioth Ahronoth publisher Arnon Mozes on changing the newspaper's coverage of the prime minister.
State Attorney Shai Nitzan was asked to determine whether to turn an initial desciplinary examination of the conduct of Mossad director Yossi Cohen into a full-blown investigation.
According to reports on Channel 10 and Haaretz, the Civil Service Commission is looking into information according to which Cohen received gifts worth thousands of shekels while he was the head of the National Security Council from Australian businessman James Packer.
These gifts include 6-10 tickets to see Mariah Carey—at the time was Packer's fiancée--performing in Israel and hosting Cohen in Packer's luxury suite at the Royal Beach Hotel in Tel Aviv.
Packer is also suspected of giving illicit benefits to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his family.
Recently, the head of the disciplinary department of the Civil Service Commission, Assaf Rosenberg, has asked the state attorney to determine whether to continue the initial examination, launch an investigation, or close the case.
Mossad director Cohen declined to comment on the matter.
According to Channel 2, the prime minister's son, Yair Netanyahu, was asked by police earlier this week mostly about the Netanyahu family's relationship with Packer.
The name of another businessman, multi-billionaire Arnon Milchan, was also raised during the junior Netanyahu's testimony, as someone who gave illicit gifts from time to time not just to the prime minister and his wife Sara, but also to their son Yair.
Prime Minister Netanyahu himself is expected to be questioned again in the coming days both regarding suspicions he received illicit benefits and suspicions concerning his talks with Yedioth Ahronoth publisher Arnon Mozes on changing the newspaper's coverage of the prime minister.
Azaria at court with his girlfriend to his right and his parents to his left
New recruit hands out leaflets saying 'The Israel Defense Force is abandoning its soldiers, we're not. Until Elor Azaria is released—don't enlist'; this is the second time he is jailed after calling to refuse order in Amona evacuation.
A new IDF recruit from the Samaria region of the West Bank was recently sentenced to 20 days in army jail after distributing leaflets calling on young Israelis not to enlist in the IDF until Sgt. Elor Azaria, who was found guilty of manslaughter after shooting dead a neutralized terrorist in Hebron, is released.
The soldier's leaflets read: "The Israel Defense Force is abandoning its soldiers, we're not. Until Elor Azaria is released, don't enlist."
This is the second time the same soldier was tried for similar reasons. A month ago he was sentenced to 14 days in army jail after distributing leaflets calling on soldiers to refuse orders concerning the evacuation of the illegal outpost Amona.
The soldier's lawyer, Hai Haber of the Honenu organization, said: "It's doubtful that all of the new recruits with views on the left side of the political map would have received the same attention and spent so long behind bars."
The IDF Spokesman's Office said in response: "The soldier was arrested and tried in the past. When he returned to his unit, he distributed propaganda against enlisting in the IDF. The soldier was tried and received 20 days in jail for this action."
New recruit hands out leaflets saying 'The Israel Defense Force is abandoning its soldiers, we're not. Until Elor Azaria is released—don't enlist'; this is the second time he is jailed after calling to refuse order in Amona evacuation.
A new IDF recruit from the Samaria region of the West Bank was recently sentenced to 20 days in army jail after distributing leaflets calling on young Israelis not to enlist in the IDF until Sgt. Elor Azaria, who was found guilty of manslaughter after shooting dead a neutralized terrorist in Hebron, is released.
The soldier's leaflets read: "The Israel Defense Force is abandoning its soldiers, we're not. Until Elor Azaria is released, don't enlist."
This is the second time the same soldier was tried for similar reasons. A month ago he was sentenced to 14 days in army jail after distributing leaflets calling on soldiers to refuse orders concerning the evacuation of the illegal outpost Amona.
The soldier's lawyer, Hai Haber of the Honenu organization, said: "It's doubtful that all of the new recruits with views on the left side of the political map would have received the same attention and spent so long behind bars."
The IDF Spokesman's Office said in response: "The soldier was arrested and tried in the past. When he returned to his unit, he distributed propaganda against enlisting in the IDF. The soldier was tried and received 20 days in jail for this action."
17 jan 2017
Yosef Haim, a close associate of Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri
A man, who is considered a confidant of Shas Chairman and Interior Minister Deri, along with two others, have had their remands extended in a blackmail scandal.
One of the men arrested in the case of suspected blackmail against a Shas leader in the Jerusalem municipality is actually a close associate of Minister and Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri.
The man, Yosef Haim Kalif, had his detention extended for four days, while two other suspects in the case—Moshe Bergman and Yohanan Davda—were also kept in custody.
Interior Minister Deri has no involvement in the case, for now.
According to suspicions, a former member of the council was recorded after he began confessing to reckless sexual behavior and violating Shabbat rules.
The suspects then confronted the council member with the incriminating recordings, forcing him to resign from his position. The council member subsequently claimed that he was blackmailed, and consequently submitted a complaint to the police.
One of the suspect's lawyers, Yair Nahorai, said that there is no evidence to suggest that his client, Mr. Bergman, has any connection to the affair for which he is being investigated.
A police representative said at the hearing to extend Davda's remand that "This is a group of people who, together, conspired to take down a serving council member."
The representative added that "we have evidence which connects him to the toppling of the council member."
The police also are also allegedly aware of other suspects who they have yet to arrest in regards to the issue.
A man, who is considered a confidant of Shas Chairman and Interior Minister Deri, along with two others, have had their remands extended in a blackmail scandal.
One of the men arrested in the case of suspected blackmail against a Shas leader in the Jerusalem municipality is actually a close associate of Minister and Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri.
The man, Yosef Haim Kalif, had his detention extended for four days, while two other suspects in the case—Moshe Bergman and Yohanan Davda—were also kept in custody.
Interior Minister Deri has no involvement in the case, for now.
According to suspicions, a former member of the council was recorded after he began confessing to reckless sexual behavior and violating Shabbat rules.
The suspects then confronted the council member with the incriminating recordings, forcing him to resign from his position. The council member subsequently claimed that he was blackmailed, and consequently submitted a complaint to the police.
One of the suspect's lawyers, Yair Nahorai, said that there is no evidence to suggest that his client, Mr. Bergman, has any connection to the affair for which he is being investigated.
A police representative said at the hearing to extend Davda's remand that "This is a group of people who, together, conspired to take down a serving council member."
The representative added that "we have evidence which connects him to the toppling of the council member."
The police also are also allegedly aware of other suspects who they have yet to arrest in regards to the issue.
15 jan 2017
Ilan Shmuel has been sentenced to 27 years behind bars after being convicted of rape and sexual assault against seven minors over a period of 20 years; 'I have no joy, because what was done to us cannot be taken back. I want every woman in Israel who has been sexually assaulted to know there is justice, you just need to step into the light and fight.'
Ilan Shmuel, 54, a former driver in the Prime Minister's Office, was convicted Sunday of rape and sexual assault of seven underage girls and sentenced to 27 years in prison. The Jerusalem District Court also fined Shmuel NIS 940,000 as restitution to his victims.
'H,' the central witness in the case, said following the sentencing, "Justice has been served. The court has spoken and decided the most fair and correct course of action. I am very happy that he got 27 years and he will pay for his actions. Now the rest of the victims and I can heal and start over. We are like shattered glass. Every time anything was discussed, all the evidence and things I've had buried in me are smeared everywhere. All the secrets I've wanted to keep in order to protect mine and my family's dignity have been published everywhere. There are other girls who have experienced the same horrors. You can't make this stuff up. It will be with us until our last day."
'D,' another one of the plaintiffs in the case, said, "I have no joy, because what was done to us cannot be taken back. I want every woman in Israel who has been sexually assaulted to know there is justice, you just need to step into the light and fight."
Anat Greenbaum, of the Jerusalem District Attorney's Office, said after the verdict, "The court sentenced Shmuel to 27 years in respect to the hundreds of sex crimes committed by the defendant against several girls who were all minors and their families. The punishment meted out by the court is appropriate to the severity of the crimes."
Shmuel was convicted of rape and sexual assault on all seven girls for a period of over 20 years.
Ilan Shmuel, 54, a former driver in the Prime Minister's Office, was convicted Sunday of rape and sexual assault of seven underage girls and sentenced to 27 years in prison. The Jerusalem District Court also fined Shmuel NIS 940,000 as restitution to his victims.
'H,' the central witness in the case, said following the sentencing, "Justice has been served. The court has spoken and decided the most fair and correct course of action. I am very happy that he got 27 years and he will pay for his actions. Now the rest of the victims and I can heal and start over. We are like shattered glass. Every time anything was discussed, all the evidence and things I've had buried in me are smeared everywhere. All the secrets I've wanted to keep in order to protect mine and my family's dignity have been published everywhere. There are other girls who have experienced the same horrors. You can't make this stuff up. It will be with us until our last day."
'D,' another one of the plaintiffs in the case, said, "I have no joy, because what was done to us cannot be taken back. I want every woman in Israel who has been sexually assaulted to know there is justice, you just need to step into the light and fight."
Anat Greenbaum, of the Jerusalem District Attorney's Office, said after the verdict, "The court sentenced Shmuel to 27 years in respect to the hundreds of sex crimes committed by the defendant against several girls who were all minors and their families. The punishment meted out by the court is appropriate to the severity of the crimes."
Shmuel was convicted of rape and sexual assault on all seven girls for a period of over 20 years.
14 jan 2017
L-R: On Refaeli, Tel Hashomer base, Sayid Nasraldin
Chief Warrant Officer Sayid Nasraldin from the Tel Hashomer base allegedly received gifts of clothing, job arrangements for relatives and soccer tickets from his soldiers, including Bar Refaeli's brother, for unofficial furloughs and choice assignments.
A military police investigation has ended with a draft indictment against Tel Hashomer Base sergeant, Chief Warrant Officer Sayid Nasraldin, for alleged corruption charges that include On Rafaeli, the soldier brother of supermodel Bar Refaeli.
Nasraldin is suspected in the draft indictment of permitting soldiers furloughs without permission and assurances of choice assignments in the IDF in exchange for clothing and soccer tickets. The IDF considers his behavior a pattern of misconduct. The soldiers who allegedly bribed Nasraldin are not being charged. However, sources in the IDF have told Ynet that Refaeli is still being investigated by the military police in another matter that has not yet been made public.
The military police's investigation began a year ago as a covert operation. It uncovered that Refaeli offered Nasraldin, his commander, Hoodies-brand clothing, which is partially owned by the Refaeli family, in February. The draft indictment states that the young soldier asked his commander his size and what colors he preferred before providing bags of the desired merchandise that another soldier was to bring to Nasraldin. The investigation was unable to prove that the commander actually received the clothes.
The master sergeant also allegedly reported Refaeli as present to Adjutant Corps that same month when he actually permitted the soldier not to come to the base. Refaeli's lawyer insisted that his client committed no illegal acts.
Nasraldin, who was on the verge of promotion before this affair first broke half a year ago, allegedly acted similarly with other soldiers, not just with the brother of Israel's most famous model. He is charged with over 100 individual cases of similarly permitting dozens soldiers to remain off-base but reporting them as present.
In addition, Nasraldin is to be charged with a crime related to military documents.
Chief Warrant Officer Sayid Nasraldin from the Tel Hashomer base allegedly received gifts of clothing, job arrangements for relatives and soccer tickets from his soldiers, including Bar Refaeli's brother, for unofficial furloughs and choice assignments.
A military police investigation has ended with a draft indictment against Tel Hashomer Base sergeant, Chief Warrant Officer Sayid Nasraldin, for alleged corruption charges that include On Rafaeli, the soldier brother of supermodel Bar Refaeli.
Nasraldin is suspected in the draft indictment of permitting soldiers furloughs without permission and assurances of choice assignments in the IDF in exchange for clothing and soccer tickets. The IDF considers his behavior a pattern of misconduct. The soldiers who allegedly bribed Nasraldin are not being charged. However, sources in the IDF have told Ynet that Refaeli is still being investigated by the military police in another matter that has not yet been made public.
The military police's investigation began a year ago as a covert operation. It uncovered that Refaeli offered Nasraldin, his commander, Hoodies-brand clothing, which is partially owned by the Refaeli family, in February. The draft indictment states that the young soldier asked his commander his size and what colors he preferred before providing bags of the desired merchandise that another soldier was to bring to Nasraldin. The investigation was unable to prove that the commander actually received the clothes.
The master sergeant also allegedly reported Refaeli as present to Adjutant Corps that same month when he actually permitted the soldier not to come to the base. Refaeli's lawyer insisted that his client committed no illegal acts.
Nasraldin, who was on the verge of promotion before this affair first broke half a year ago, allegedly acted similarly with other soldiers, not just with the brother of Israel's most famous model. He is charged with over 100 individual cases of similarly permitting dozens soldiers to remain off-base but reporting them as present.
In addition, Nasraldin is to be charged with a crime related to military documents.
On and Bar Refaeli
Those under the chief warrant officer's command are defined as in "general" and clerical positions who leave base for home every day, sometimes at 2 or 3pm.
Nasraldin is accused in the draft indictment receiving soccer tickets from the son of a famous soccer coach after having permitted that soldier to be absent while falsely reporting him to be on-base. The coach allegedly met with the chief warrant officer on several occasions.
He allegedly arranged choice positions for soldiers in other units by using his connections there. This was done at the request of at least one soldier's parents.
Those close to Nasraldin say that such transactions are commonplace in many IDF units and have been for years. They allege that the investigation was instigated by other career soldiers striking against Nasraldin's expected promotion. The sources continued that Nasraldin has a warm and good relationship with his soldiers and that he had no criminal intent and that he granted bonuses such as unofficial furloughs.
The IDF Spokesperson's Unit stated that Nasraldin is expected to admit to the charges in a plea bargain and end his military service. They added that they would not take steps against his soldiers.
Those under the chief warrant officer's command are defined as in "general" and clerical positions who leave base for home every day, sometimes at 2 or 3pm.
Nasraldin is accused in the draft indictment receiving soccer tickets from the son of a famous soccer coach after having permitted that soldier to be absent while falsely reporting him to be on-base. The coach allegedly met with the chief warrant officer on several occasions.
He allegedly arranged choice positions for soldiers in other units by using his connections there. This was done at the request of at least one soldier's parents.
Those close to Nasraldin say that such transactions are commonplace in many IDF units and have been for years. They allege that the investigation was instigated by other career soldiers striking against Nasraldin's expected promotion. The sources continued that Nasraldin has a warm and good relationship with his soldiers and that he had no criminal intent and that he granted bonuses such as unofficial furloughs.
The IDF Spokesperson's Unit stated that Nasraldin is expected to admit to the charges in a plea bargain and end his military service. They added that they would not take steps against his soldiers.
10 jan 2017
Israeli channel two revealed that three Israeli soldiers were trialed and indicted on Monday before an Israeli Military court in Caesarea for stealing and selling guns of army bases.
The channel said that the stolen weapons included grenades, sound bombs, M-16 rifles and bullets.
The soldiers used to leave weapons in an open car in front of a hair-cut saloon where the saloon owner used to take the guns and sell them to Palestinian factions through a broker, the channel added.
The soldiers were caught after Israeli border guards had watched them over six months using different technologies with the help of an undercover police agent, it highlighted.
The channel said that the stolen weapons included grenades, sound bombs, M-16 rifles and bullets.
The soldiers used to leave weapons in an open car in front of a hair-cut saloon where the saloon owner used to take the guns and sell them to Palestinian factions through a broker, the channel added.
The soldiers were caught after Israeli border guards had watched them over six months using different technologies with the help of an undercover police agent, it highlighted.