13 aug 2017
Haim Aharon Yosefi
Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth investigate allegations against Haim Aharon Yosefi, a well-known figure in the Haredi world, for taking young, pregnant Haredi woman from Israel to the US to give birth before giving the child away in an 'adoption' arrangement for a fee; ‘If I tell you who I'm connected to, it'll blow your mind,’ he tells undercover journalist.
Haim Aharon Yosefi—a well-known businessman and figure in the ultra-Orthodox world—trades in babies. He is a central figure in a network that allegedly takes young, pregnant Haredi women from Israel to the United States to give birth before giving the child away in an "adoption" arrangement for a fee.
In a series of meetings with undercover reporters from Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth, Yosefi unwittingly provided a rare glimpse behind the curtain, openly divulging how he and his accomplices operate. He also revealed a string of other related activities including the distribution of pills to suppress sexual desire, forging identification documents and more.
Over the last few weeks, Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth sent "Devorah Leah," a young Haredi woman with a cover story, to Yosefi. "I got pregnant by a married man, and I'm in trouble," Devorah told Yosefi.
During their meetings, Yosefi detailed the journey Devorah would have to endure until her baby is given to an adoptive family. He also offered her payment for the baby and even told her about previous "cases" he "handled."
"Let's say all the expenses concerning you are $50,000, and I'm getting $100,000. Maybe I'm making a profit off of you, but that also means I'm spending $50,000 on you. This is all very problematic and very sensitive. Just so you know, the law says whoever tries to lobby a woman to give her child up for adoption in exchange for favors can get 15 years in prison. It is very criminal," Yosefi told Devorah.
"If I tell you now, Devorah Leah, take $50,000 and I expect to get your fetus, that sounds fine. We are making what is called a fair deal. You get $50,000 and I get the fetus. It doesn't matter if I sell it for a million dollars, or I don't sell it at all. You make out alright for your part. Just know the law is very dangerous. Now I am saying, in principle, in general, I am with you."
The conversations with Yosefi open a window into what he himself calls the "industry" of baby trafficking, involving "a ton, a sea," of similar cases, as he confessed to Devorah.
The connections
Yosefi is a member of Degel HaTorah, the Lithuanian faction of the United Torah Judaism party. He has close ties to many prominent rabbis and is also welcome in many other Hassidic circles.
Approximately six months ago, Yosefi was arrested by police amid an investigation into document forging and providing fictitious exemptions to young ultra-Orthodox men attempting to avoid conscription into the IDF.
"If I tell you who I'm connected to, you'll be blown away," he told Devorah. "Officials in the Interior Ministry, the IDF, the police and different municipalities. I once had an arrangement with an official in the Interior Ministry where I would provide her with interest-free loans and she would help me in return."
Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth learned of Yosefi's activities through testimony provided by "Esther," who recounted her experiences with him when her infant son was sold to a couple in the United States.
As the investigation progressed, more stories emerged and many of the details were confirmed by Yosefi himself in conversations with Devorah, which were also rife with remarks that bordered on sexual harassment.
Yosefi constantly shifts between the gray and criminal areas. For example, he expressed disappointment when Devorah supposedly approached a doctor through her local clinic for a pregnancy checkup.
"You weren't smart. From now on, never use your real name. I'm sending you to a private physician, and you can say your name is Ruth," he told her. "I've gone with other girls to the doctor as well. You pay and money has no smell. I come with you, put out NIS 500 or 900. I also make sure to give you an identity card with a fictitious number."
When Devorah told Yosefi the alleged father of her baby demanded proof she had an abortion, Yosefi suggested another criminal solution. "Now don't quote me, but you can play a very dangerous card and tell him 'I'm going to the police and telling them you raped me.' At that moment, he'll commit suicide. No one would believe a cute 21-year-old girl raped a 33-year-old man. They will believe you more than him."
Payment
Devorah's first meeting with Yosefi took place at a Jerusalem hotel, while her second and third meetings took place in the basement office of Lev Shomea, a branch of Lev L'Achim—a large ultra-Orthodox organization dedicated to religious education, religious counseling and more.
Yosefi labeled payments as "royalties." When asked about the precise nature of the royalties, he said, "Beyond the accommodations and flights, I provide you a gift of $10,000 or $20,000. It is criminal, but with God's help, I work very hard to make sure you get royalties too."
Yosefi then outlined the entire birthing process to Devorah, beginning with his accompanying her to the US and the birth itself.
When the time comes, according to Yosefi, he will organize a "host family" in the US, with whom she will live until the birth. "They do it as a good deed," said Yosefi. "They can clothe your body in money."
When asked if he already had a family lined up, Yosefi responded, "Today I know, there are many Haredi families in the world that cannot have children for all kinds of reasons. I have a few, but I have to decide what I want."
Yosefi then proceeded to emphasize to Devorah that he has competitors in the market. "There are all kinds of organizations. But this is very sensitive. I'm talking to you about honesty and fairness. I send you abroad whenever you want. Sometimes I ensure that others do it and sometimes I do it myself. We ensure a host family for you throughout the entire pregnancy and you receive close supervision," he told her.
It costs quite a bit of money. Do I have to work while I'm there in order to finance it?
"All expenses—clothing, makeup, medical insurance, the birth, doctors—you do not have to pay a shekel. If you go tomorrow, you have no expenses for the next six months."
Yosefi also offered additional bonuses, saying, "If you want, we can make efforts to give you some cosmetic treatment, a body design studio. I need to pamper you. This is all in the package. Trips, restaurants, fun. It will all be paid for."
Devorah then inquired about what to tell her parents when she needs to go to the United States and disappear for a period of time, to which Yosefi responded, "I can assist you with this too. I have a bag of excuses."
When Devorah asked about the mental state of girls who have undergone the process and the possibility of seeing the baby after birth, Yosefi responded, "Psychologically, it isn't good for you, because you connect with him. It may be that in your case we will need to organize psychological help."
'We will market you as well'
How can such an industry, involving so many people like Yosefi, exist for so long under the radar?
In the absence of sex education, quite a few ultra-Orthodox girls and women become pregnant, and since the Haredi community is intolerant of such cases, women are forced to find a solution.
Many women willingly cooperate and others believe if they just give birth away from their families and friends, they would be able to raise the child themselves, or at the very least, remain in contact with the child.
The conspiracy of silence has lasted for years because of how ultra-Orthodox society is structured. No one speaks, because they do not want their children boycotted or condemned. However, as soon as one story comes out, others find the courage to speak out as well.
Why is the process conducted in the United States and not in Israel? For two main reasons.
The first is to distance the wayward girl from the community in order to "protect" her, as it were. The second, and most significant, reason is that of legality.
According to Yosefi, in the US, such a practice is possible and even legal. Most of the girls sign adoption documents and payment is ostensibly transferred to them legally.
In their last meeting, Yosefi thought it prudent to explain something else. He is now marketing Devorah to families who are looking to adopt a child. "I am going to elevate you, to market you respectfully. I will market you morally. I am trying to do my job faithfully."
Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth investigate allegations against Haim Aharon Yosefi, a well-known figure in the Haredi world, for taking young, pregnant Haredi woman from Israel to the US to give birth before giving the child away in an 'adoption' arrangement for a fee; ‘If I tell you who I'm connected to, it'll blow your mind,’ he tells undercover journalist.
Haim Aharon Yosefi—a well-known businessman and figure in the ultra-Orthodox world—trades in babies. He is a central figure in a network that allegedly takes young, pregnant Haredi women from Israel to the United States to give birth before giving the child away in an "adoption" arrangement for a fee.
In a series of meetings with undercover reporters from Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth, Yosefi unwittingly provided a rare glimpse behind the curtain, openly divulging how he and his accomplices operate. He also revealed a string of other related activities including the distribution of pills to suppress sexual desire, forging identification documents and more.
Over the last few weeks, Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth sent "Devorah Leah," a young Haredi woman with a cover story, to Yosefi. "I got pregnant by a married man, and I'm in trouble," Devorah told Yosefi.
During their meetings, Yosefi detailed the journey Devorah would have to endure until her baby is given to an adoptive family. He also offered her payment for the baby and even told her about previous "cases" he "handled."
"Let's say all the expenses concerning you are $50,000, and I'm getting $100,000. Maybe I'm making a profit off of you, but that also means I'm spending $50,000 on you. This is all very problematic and very sensitive. Just so you know, the law says whoever tries to lobby a woman to give her child up for adoption in exchange for favors can get 15 years in prison. It is very criminal," Yosefi told Devorah.
"If I tell you now, Devorah Leah, take $50,000 and I expect to get your fetus, that sounds fine. We are making what is called a fair deal. You get $50,000 and I get the fetus. It doesn't matter if I sell it for a million dollars, or I don't sell it at all. You make out alright for your part. Just know the law is very dangerous. Now I am saying, in principle, in general, I am with you."
The conversations with Yosefi open a window into what he himself calls the "industry" of baby trafficking, involving "a ton, a sea," of similar cases, as he confessed to Devorah.
The connections
Yosefi is a member of Degel HaTorah, the Lithuanian faction of the United Torah Judaism party. He has close ties to many prominent rabbis and is also welcome in many other Hassidic circles.
Approximately six months ago, Yosefi was arrested by police amid an investigation into document forging and providing fictitious exemptions to young ultra-Orthodox men attempting to avoid conscription into the IDF.
"If I tell you who I'm connected to, you'll be blown away," he told Devorah. "Officials in the Interior Ministry, the IDF, the police and different municipalities. I once had an arrangement with an official in the Interior Ministry where I would provide her with interest-free loans and she would help me in return."
Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth learned of Yosefi's activities through testimony provided by "Esther," who recounted her experiences with him when her infant son was sold to a couple in the United States.
As the investigation progressed, more stories emerged and many of the details were confirmed by Yosefi himself in conversations with Devorah, which were also rife with remarks that bordered on sexual harassment.
Yosefi constantly shifts between the gray and criminal areas. For example, he expressed disappointment when Devorah supposedly approached a doctor through her local clinic for a pregnancy checkup.
"You weren't smart. From now on, never use your real name. I'm sending you to a private physician, and you can say your name is Ruth," he told her. "I've gone with other girls to the doctor as well. You pay and money has no smell. I come with you, put out NIS 500 or 900. I also make sure to give you an identity card with a fictitious number."
When Devorah told Yosefi the alleged father of her baby demanded proof she had an abortion, Yosefi suggested another criminal solution. "Now don't quote me, but you can play a very dangerous card and tell him 'I'm going to the police and telling them you raped me.' At that moment, he'll commit suicide. No one would believe a cute 21-year-old girl raped a 33-year-old man. They will believe you more than him."
Payment
Devorah's first meeting with Yosefi took place at a Jerusalem hotel, while her second and third meetings took place in the basement office of Lev Shomea, a branch of Lev L'Achim—a large ultra-Orthodox organization dedicated to religious education, religious counseling and more.
Yosefi labeled payments as "royalties." When asked about the precise nature of the royalties, he said, "Beyond the accommodations and flights, I provide you a gift of $10,000 or $20,000. It is criminal, but with God's help, I work very hard to make sure you get royalties too."
Yosefi then outlined the entire birthing process to Devorah, beginning with his accompanying her to the US and the birth itself.
When the time comes, according to Yosefi, he will organize a "host family" in the US, with whom she will live until the birth. "They do it as a good deed," said Yosefi. "They can clothe your body in money."
When asked if he already had a family lined up, Yosefi responded, "Today I know, there are many Haredi families in the world that cannot have children for all kinds of reasons. I have a few, but I have to decide what I want."
Yosefi then proceeded to emphasize to Devorah that he has competitors in the market. "There are all kinds of organizations. But this is very sensitive. I'm talking to you about honesty and fairness. I send you abroad whenever you want. Sometimes I ensure that others do it and sometimes I do it myself. We ensure a host family for you throughout the entire pregnancy and you receive close supervision," he told her.
It costs quite a bit of money. Do I have to work while I'm there in order to finance it?
"All expenses—clothing, makeup, medical insurance, the birth, doctors—you do not have to pay a shekel. If you go tomorrow, you have no expenses for the next six months."
Yosefi also offered additional bonuses, saying, "If you want, we can make efforts to give you some cosmetic treatment, a body design studio. I need to pamper you. This is all in the package. Trips, restaurants, fun. It will all be paid for."
Devorah then inquired about what to tell her parents when she needs to go to the United States and disappear for a period of time, to which Yosefi responded, "I can assist you with this too. I have a bag of excuses."
When Devorah asked about the mental state of girls who have undergone the process and the possibility of seeing the baby after birth, Yosefi responded, "Psychologically, it isn't good for you, because you connect with him. It may be that in your case we will need to organize psychological help."
'We will market you as well'
How can such an industry, involving so many people like Yosefi, exist for so long under the radar?
In the absence of sex education, quite a few ultra-Orthodox girls and women become pregnant, and since the Haredi community is intolerant of such cases, women are forced to find a solution.
Many women willingly cooperate and others believe if they just give birth away from their families and friends, they would be able to raise the child themselves, or at the very least, remain in contact with the child.
The conspiracy of silence has lasted for years because of how ultra-Orthodox society is structured. No one speaks, because they do not want their children boycotted or condemned. However, as soon as one story comes out, others find the courage to speak out as well.
Why is the process conducted in the United States and not in Israel? For two main reasons.
The first is to distance the wayward girl from the community in order to "protect" her, as it were. The second, and most significant, reason is that of legality.
According to Yosefi, in the US, such a practice is possible and even legal. Most of the girls sign adoption documents and payment is ostensibly transferred to them legally.
In their last meeting, Yosefi thought it prudent to explain something else. He is now marketing Devorah to families who are looking to adopt a child. "I am going to elevate you, to market you respectfully. I will market you morally. I am trying to do my job faithfully."
10 aug 2017
Yehoshua Elitzur, 44, is getting extradited from Brazil after he fled from Itamar settlement 10 years ago, before his plea hearing for killing two Palestinians Sael Jabara al-Shatiya, east of Nablus, in 2004.
Elitzur was initially accused of murder, but was sentenced to 20 years in prison, in 2005, for manslaughter.
The prosecutor, according to the PNN, couldn’t prove Elitzur’s intention to murder Al-Shatiya. During his plea hearing, Elitzur was confined to house arrest, but managed to flee to Germany and, soon after, to Brazil.
In 2005, Interpol issued an international arrest warrant for Elitzur, who was found and arrested 2 years ago, in Brazil. Now, Brazilian authorities have accepted the request from Israel to extradite him.
Elitzur was initially accused of murder, but was sentenced to 20 years in prison, in 2005, for manslaughter.
The prosecutor, according to the PNN, couldn’t prove Elitzur’s intention to murder Al-Shatiya. During his plea hearing, Elitzur was confined to house arrest, but managed to flee to Germany and, soon after, to Brazil.
In 2005, Interpol issued an international arrest warrant for Elitzur, who was found and arrested 2 years ago, in Brazil. Now, Brazilian authorities have accepted the request from Israel to extradite him.
25 july 2017
Mohammed Sharaf
The Israeli police acquitted on Tuesday the settler charged with shooting and killing the Jerusalemite youth Mohammed Sharaf on Friday in Ras al-Amud neighborhood in East Jerusalem, Haaretz reported.
Palestinians had released a videotape capturing the fatal shooting of Sharaf by the settler.
After summoning the settler for interrogation, the Israeli police announced that he is not the one who killed Sharaf.
The police said that they are facing difficulties collecting evidence because the young man was buried shortly after he died, and added that they had conducted an investigation at al-Makassed hospital where Sharaf was taken after being shot.
The Israeli police acquitted on Tuesday the settler charged with shooting and killing the Jerusalemite youth Mohammed Sharaf on Friday in Ras al-Amud neighborhood in East Jerusalem, Haaretz reported.
Palestinians had released a videotape capturing the fatal shooting of Sharaf by the settler.
After summoning the settler for interrogation, the Israeli police announced that he is not the one who killed Sharaf.
The police said that they are facing difficulties collecting evidence because the young man was buried shortly after he died, and added that they had conducted an investigation at al-Makassed hospital where Sharaf was taken after being shot.
4 july 2017
While demanding that the Palestinian Authority stop paying the monthly salaries of Palestinian political detainees for Israel, the Israeli government continues to pay a regular monthly salaries to Israeli prisoners who murdered Palestinian civilians, providing them and their families with social care and legal follow up.
Head of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Commission, Issa Qaraqe’ said, according to the PNN, that the government of Israel is paying a regular monthly salary to the Israeli murderer Ami Popper who committed a bloody massacre, where he killed seven Palestinian workers from Gaza on May 20, 1990, in the Rishon Lezion area, near Tel Aviv.
The victims were waiting for their employers on the construction site when Ami Popper approached them wearing the Israeli army uniform. After he checked their IDs to make sure they were all Palestinians, he opened fire towards them, killing seven and injuring 20 others.
“Popper’s sentence, which was a life imprisonment, was reduced and he will be released next month, Qaraqe’ said. “Despite being in prison, he lives in luxury: He got married on the anniversary of the massacre (20 may 2013) and had kids while he was in prison. In addition, he was allowed to visit his house several times.”
“The Israeli government supports the Jewish terrorists and their extremist organizations, financially, socially and legally, through Israeli government-approved associations, including Haninu, Right Hand Association and others.
“The Israeli government is the largest financier of official terrorism in the Middle East that continues to claim legitimacy of their own terrorism,” he added.
This statement comes in midst of Israeli calls on the PA to cancel the monthly salaries for the Palestinian prisoners and their families who are imprisoned by Israel over political backgrounds.
“We reject being framed as criminals and terrorist. The struggle of our people is a legitimate struggle against the occupation and for self-determination and is guaranteed by UN resolutions and international and humanitarian laws,” he concluded.
Head of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Commission, Issa Qaraqe’ said, according to the PNN, that the government of Israel is paying a regular monthly salary to the Israeli murderer Ami Popper who committed a bloody massacre, where he killed seven Palestinian workers from Gaza on May 20, 1990, in the Rishon Lezion area, near Tel Aviv.
The victims were waiting for their employers on the construction site when Ami Popper approached them wearing the Israeli army uniform. After he checked their IDs to make sure they were all Palestinians, he opened fire towards them, killing seven and injuring 20 others.
“Popper’s sentence, which was a life imprisonment, was reduced and he will be released next month, Qaraqe’ said. “Despite being in prison, he lives in luxury: He got married on the anniversary of the massacre (20 may 2013) and had kids while he was in prison. In addition, he was allowed to visit his house several times.”
“The Israeli government supports the Jewish terrorists and their extremist organizations, financially, socially and legally, through Israeli government-approved associations, including Haninu, Right Hand Association and others.
“The Israeli government is the largest financier of official terrorism in the Middle East that continues to claim legitimacy of their own terrorism,” he added.
This statement comes in midst of Israeli calls on the PA to cancel the monthly salaries for the Palestinian prisoners and their families who are imprisoned by Israel over political backgrounds.
“We reject being framed as criminals and terrorist. The struggle of our people is a legitimate struggle against the occupation and for self-determination and is guaranteed by UN resolutions and international and humanitarian laws,” he concluded.
3 july 2017
Court finds 22-year-old Yinon Reuveni guilty of torching a famous church in northern Israel 2 years ago while acquitting man originally believed to be an accomplice; conviction statements says Reuveni established contact with others prior to the arson attack due to his 'hostile views' on Christianity.
A 22-year-old Jewish extremist, Yinon Reuveni, was convicted in the Nazareth Magistrate’s Court on Monday for setting fire to the famous Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish on the shores of the Sea of Galilee in northern Israel two years ago.
The court also acquitted Yehuda Asraf, 21, who was accused of involvement in the arson attack and of providing assistance to Reuveni.
In June 2015, Reuveni torched the church in which Christians believe that Jesus Christ performed the miracle of “Feeding of the 4,000” with seven loaves of bread and fish. Two rooms of the church complex in Tabgha were damaged.
In addition to the fire, which caused extensive damage to the structure’s exterior, Reuveni also defaced the limestone wall with red paint denouncing the worship of idols.
Firefighters called to the scene managed to extinguish the flames just in time to avert what could have been far more damaging as they burned just meters away from the main hall of the church itself and its wooden ceiling.
Two people, a young female pilgrim and a 70-year-old man, were wounded in the blaze from smoke inhalation.
It is not the first time that Reuveni's extremist transgressions have landed him on the wrong side of the law. In 2016, he was charged for committing violent acts against Palestinians.
According to the conviction statement regarding the fire, Reuveni established contact with other unknown individuals prior to his assault on the church due to hostile views he harbored against Christianity in an attempt to damage the holy sites of the religion.
“In his aforementioned actions, the accused carried out the arson attack with others on property for public use,” the statement read. “In addition, the defendant, together with others, unlawfully wrote on the property of another, motivated by hostility toward the Christian religion.”
The church reopened 20 months after the fire. Christian dignitaries and donors attended a ceremony and mass in the Roman Catholic church, with the complex reopened to pilgrims following eight months of renovation work at a cost of around one million dollars, of which the state of Israel contributed almost $400,000.
A 22-year-old Jewish extremist, Yinon Reuveni, was convicted in the Nazareth Magistrate’s Court on Monday for setting fire to the famous Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish on the shores of the Sea of Galilee in northern Israel two years ago.
The court also acquitted Yehuda Asraf, 21, who was accused of involvement in the arson attack and of providing assistance to Reuveni.
In June 2015, Reuveni torched the church in which Christians believe that Jesus Christ performed the miracle of “Feeding of the 4,000” with seven loaves of bread and fish. Two rooms of the church complex in Tabgha were damaged.
In addition to the fire, which caused extensive damage to the structure’s exterior, Reuveni also defaced the limestone wall with red paint denouncing the worship of idols.
Firefighters called to the scene managed to extinguish the flames just in time to avert what could have been far more damaging as they burned just meters away from the main hall of the church itself and its wooden ceiling.
Two people, a young female pilgrim and a 70-year-old man, were wounded in the blaze from smoke inhalation.
It is not the first time that Reuveni's extremist transgressions have landed him on the wrong side of the law. In 2016, he was charged for committing violent acts against Palestinians.
According to the conviction statement regarding the fire, Reuveni established contact with other unknown individuals prior to his assault on the church due to hostile views he harbored against Christianity in an attempt to damage the holy sites of the religion.
“In his aforementioned actions, the accused carried out the arson attack with others on property for public use,” the statement read. “In addition, the defendant, together with others, unlawfully wrote on the property of another, motivated by hostility toward the Christian religion.”
The church reopened 20 months after the fire. Christian dignitaries and donors attended a ceremony and mass in the Roman Catholic church, with the complex reopened to pilgrims following eight months of renovation work at a cost of around one million dollars, of which the state of Israel contributed almost $400,000.
Six suspects, including two brothers, arrested after stealing 33 M16 rifles and other IDF equipment from a base the brothers were working at; police also seize cash and vehicles during raid on suspects' home.
Two brothers working as civilian contractors at an IDF base north of Be'er Sheva are suspected of breaking into the base's armory and stealing weapons and ammunition in order to sell them to criminal organizations, police said on Monday.
In addition to the two brothers, four other suspects have been detained on charges of weapons trafficking after they were identified by a state witness recruited by police.
The investigation into the theft began in late May after 33 M16 rifles were stolen from the base. Police quickly identified Lior and Avishai Itach as the central suspects in the case after discovering that one of the brothers worked as a repairman on the base's armory.
According to police, the brothers managed to steal the weapons and smuggle them to the north of Israel, where the two managed to pocket NIS 1 million from the sale. Police claim the two men smuggled the guns in the trunk of their car to a gas station on Highway 6, where they were transferred to accomplices. Payment was made several days later at a separate location.
In addition to the weapons and ammunition, the brothers also sold other IDF equipment such as magazines, vests, laser sights and more.
Following a raid on the suspects' home, police also discovered a large amount of drugs, including ecstasy and hashish, worth over NIS 200,000. Police also seized NIS 1 million in cash and several vehicles.
Police estimated each weapon was worth between NIS 30,000-40,000, while weapons sold in the north of the country are worth NIS 60,000.
Police also suspect the weapons have been transferred to criminal organizations in both the north and south, including Wadi Ara, Kafr Qara and Umm al-Fahm.
The investigation was conducted in cooperation with IDF Military Police and the Shin Bet, which suspected terrorist elements were involved in the case.
Investigators managed to recruit a state witness who took part in brokering the sale of the stolen weapons to arms dealers in the north. According to the witness and police, there are still additional suspects who have yet to be detained.
Two brothers working as civilian contractors at an IDF base north of Be'er Sheva are suspected of breaking into the base's armory and stealing weapons and ammunition in order to sell them to criminal organizations, police said on Monday.
In addition to the two brothers, four other suspects have been detained on charges of weapons trafficking after they were identified by a state witness recruited by police.
The investigation into the theft began in late May after 33 M16 rifles were stolen from the base. Police quickly identified Lior and Avishai Itach as the central suspects in the case after discovering that one of the brothers worked as a repairman on the base's armory.
According to police, the brothers managed to steal the weapons and smuggle them to the north of Israel, where the two managed to pocket NIS 1 million from the sale. Police claim the two men smuggled the guns in the trunk of their car to a gas station on Highway 6, where they were transferred to accomplices. Payment was made several days later at a separate location.
In addition to the weapons and ammunition, the brothers also sold other IDF equipment such as magazines, vests, laser sights and more.
Following a raid on the suspects' home, police also discovered a large amount of drugs, including ecstasy and hashish, worth over NIS 200,000. Police also seized NIS 1 million in cash and several vehicles.
Police estimated each weapon was worth between NIS 30,000-40,000, while weapons sold in the north of the country are worth NIS 60,000.
Police also suspect the weapons have been transferred to criminal organizations in both the north and south, including Wadi Ara, Kafr Qara and Umm al-Fahm.
The investigation was conducted in cooperation with IDF Military Police and the Shin Bet, which suspected terrorist elements were involved in the case.
Investigators managed to recruit a state witness who took part in brokering the sale of the stolen weapons to arms dealers in the north. According to the witness and police, there are still additional suspects who have yet to be detained.
2 july 2017
After a lt. col (res.) is found stabbed in own home with 'Death to Jews' written in Arabic, attack initially suspected to be nationally motivated; investigation later refutes this, raising suspicion the man had tried to stage his own death to look like an act of terror.
Breaking: A 52-year-old lt. col. (res.) who was found stabbed in his own home last May is suspected of orchestrating the entire scenario in an attempt to make his own death look like the result of an act of terrorism.
The officer, who survived the incident, was abroad as the story broke and is to be questioned on the matter upon his return.
The incident in question took place in mid May, when the alleged victim did not show up for work. His absence caused concerned friends to call his landlord, who rented the man a housing unit of his in Moshav Elishema in the central Sharon region. The landlord sent his son to check in on his tenant, and it was then that the man was found in his home, stabbed and lying in his own blood. He was rushed to the hospital for treatment.
A large police force arrived on the scene and began an investigation into the apparent attack. After police found "Death to Jews" scrawled inside the house, it was suspected that the attacker had acted out of nationalistic motivations. The police then set up blockades in the area and conducted searches that also relied on helicopter assistance.
In addition to seeing it as a possible terrorist attack, police tried to figure out whether the attack was criminally motivated, due to claims that the injured man was surprised by the attacker, who had broken into his home before stabbing him.
Though the injured party had repeatedly claimed he did not recognize his attacker, further investigating found evidence that contradicted both the victim's statements and the condition of his injuries.
Eventually, the police ruled out both that the attack was nationally or criminally motivated, as a new suspicion suggested that the man injured in the event had actually tried to stage his own death or end his life. He will be questioned under warning of giving false information.
Breaking: A 52-year-old lt. col. (res.) who was found stabbed in his own home last May is suspected of orchestrating the entire scenario in an attempt to make his own death look like the result of an act of terrorism.
The officer, who survived the incident, was abroad as the story broke and is to be questioned on the matter upon his return.
The incident in question took place in mid May, when the alleged victim did not show up for work. His absence caused concerned friends to call his landlord, who rented the man a housing unit of his in Moshav Elishema in the central Sharon region. The landlord sent his son to check in on his tenant, and it was then that the man was found in his home, stabbed and lying in his own blood. He was rushed to the hospital for treatment.
A large police force arrived on the scene and began an investigation into the apparent attack. After police found "Death to Jews" scrawled inside the house, it was suspected that the attacker had acted out of nationalistic motivations. The police then set up blockades in the area and conducted searches that also relied on helicopter assistance.
In addition to seeing it as a possible terrorist attack, police tried to figure out whether the attack was criminally motivated, due to claims that the injured man was surprised by the attacker, who had broken into his home before stabbing him.
Though the injured party had repeatedly claimed he did not recognize his attacker, further investigating found evidence that contradicted both the victim's statements and the condition of his injuries.
Eventually, the police ruled out both that the attack was nationally or criminally motivated, as a new suspicion suggested that the man injured in the event had actually tried to stage his own death or end his life. He will be questioned under warning of giving false information.
