22 june 2020
Svetlana Gnezdilov
Undercover investigation reveals suspect, several other accomplices allegedly operated sophisticated prostitution ring in central cities; suspect claims only dealt with massages
Former world-class Israeli athlete, Svetlana Gnezdilov, has been identified on Monday as one of the main suspects in a sex trafficking and prostitution probe.
Gnezdilov appeared in the Tel Aviv District Court on Monday, where she denied charges of conspiracy to commit a crime, pimping, advertising adult prostitution services, bringing a person into prostitution, permitting premises to be used for prostitution, tax fraud, money laundering, and causing a person to leave their country for purposes of prostitution.
The 51-year-old Ramat Gan resident previously represented Israel in three World Championships and two European Championships.
According to police, an undercover investigation conducted in concert with the Tax Authority and the National Insurance Institute revealed that Gnezdilov and several other suspects operated a sophisticated network in the central cities of Givatayim, Ramat Gan, Petah Tikva, and Ra'anana for several years.
The network’s victims were often recruited through advertising on Russian-language websites in Israel and abroad, under the headline "Masseuses needed - high wages."
The investigation also found that the network often advertised its services on sex and massage portals found on various websites.
Six other suspects were detained in the raid, on suspicion of taking part in the network's operations. Each of the suspects allegedly had a defined role and responsibilities within the prostitution ring.
Those involved in the network are also under investigation for alleged money laundering offenses estimated in the millions, and other tax offenses.
The suspects are also accused of violating public health orders because the network allegedly continued its operations during the coronavirus pandemic.
The main suspect's attorney, Orit Hayon, said that her client denied any connection to trafficking or sex workers and claimed that she was only dealing in massages.
Undercover investigation reveals suspect, several other accomplices allegedly operated sophisticated prostitution ring in central cities; suspect claims only dealt with massages
Former world-class Israeli athlete, Svetlana Gnezdilov, has been identified on Monday as one of the main suspects in a sex trafficking and prostitution probe.
Gnezdilov appeared in the Tel Aviv District Court on Monday, where she denied charges of conspiracy to commit a crime, pimping, advertising adult prostitution services, bringing a person into prostitution, permitting premises to be used for prostitution, tax fraud, money laundering, and causing a person to leave their country for purposes of prostitution.
The 51-year-old Ramat Gan resident previously represented Israel in three World Championships and two European Championships.
According to police, an undercover investigation conducted in concert with the Tax Authority and the National Insurance Institute revealed that Gnezdilov and several other suspects operated a sophisticated network in the central cities of Givatayim, Ramat Gan, Petah Tikva, and Ra'anana for several years.
The network’s victims were often recruited through advertising on Russian-language websites in Israel and abroad, under the headline "Masseuses needed - high wages."
The investigation also found that the network often advertised its services on sex and massage portals found on various websites.
Six other suspects were detained in the raid, on suspicion of taking part in the network's operations. Each of the suspects allegedly had a defined role and responsibilities within the prostitution ring.
Those involved in the network are also under investigation for alleged money laundering offenses estimated in the millions, and other tax offenses.
The suspects are also accused of violating public health orders because the network allegedly continued its operations during the coronavirus pandemic.
The main suspect's attorney, Orit Hayon, said that her client denied any connection to trafficking or sex workers and claimed that she was only dealing in massages.
18 june 2020
Military says soldier reached plea deal in which he pleaded guilty to charges of negligence and reckless endangerment; serviceman receives suspended sentence and demoted to rank of private
An IDF soldier who shot and killed a Palestinian fisherman near the Gaza frontier in 2018 has been given 45 days of community service after an army investigation concluded he fired without authorization, the military said Thursday.
The military said a group of Palestinians had approached the fence but were far away when the soldier opened fire, striking one of them. Its statement did not identify the soldier or the Palestinian, or say whether he was killed.
Nawaf al-Attar, a 23-year-old fisherman was shot and killed by Israeli troops near the northern beach frontier on Nov. 14, 2018, when the military said the shooting occurred.
It happened a few hours after a ceasefire took effect following a brief round of fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants. The area near the fence had seen weekly protests at the time that often turned violent, but there were no demonstrations that day.
The military said the soldier reached a plea bargain in which he pleaded guilty to charges of negligence and reckless endangerment. He received a suspended sentence and was demoted to the rank of private.
Gaza has been under an Israeli and Egyptian blockade since the Islamic militant group Hamas seized power from rival Palestinian forces there in 2007.
Since then, Hamas and other militant groups have fought three wars and engaged in numerous smaller battles with Israel.
Rights groups have accused Israel of using excessive force and of failing to adequately investigate the killing of civilians. Israel says it makes every effort to avoid civilian casualties and accuses Palestinian militants of using civilians as human shields.
“Enforcing a military occupation on millions of people for decades requires exorbitant violence and impunity for the soldiers who sustain it,” the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem said in a statement.
“Forty-five days of community service for killing a man is but the latest example of how the military law enforcement system is designed to protect perpetrators, not their victims.”
An Associated Press investigation last year found that the military had opened investigations into 24 potentially criminal shootings of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip over the previous year. None of the cases at that time had yielded convictions or even indictments, and in most cases, the army had not interviewed key witnesses or retrieved evidence from the field.
The Palestinian Authority has asked the International Criminal Court to probe alleged Israeli war crimes, including allegations related to violence in Gaza. Israel has sought to rally the international community against any investigation, arguing that the Palestinians lack legal standing and that its own courts investigate and punish any misconduct.
Israel does not recognize the ICC, but any charges could put Israeli officials at risk of arrest in other countries.
An IDF soldier who shot and killed a Palestinian fisherman near the Gaza frontier in 2018 has been given 45 days of community service after an army investigation concluded he fired without authorization, the military said Thursday.
The military said a group of Palestinians had approached the fence but were far away when the soldier opened fire, striking one of them. Its statement did not identify the soldier or the Palestinian, or say whether he was killed.
Nawaf al-Attar, a 23-year-old fisherman was shot and killed by Israeli troops near the northern beach frontier on Nov. 14, 2018, when the military said the shooting occurred.
It happened a few hours after a ceasefire took effect following a brief round of fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants. The area near the fence had seen weekly protests at the time that often turned violent, but there were no demonstrations that day.
The military said the soldier reached a plea bargain in which he pleaded guilty to charges of negligence and reckless endangerment. He received a suspended sentence and was demoted to the rank of private.
Gaza has been under an Israeli and Egyptian blockade since the Islamic militant group Hamas seized power from rival Palestinian forces there in 2007.
Since then, Hamas and other militant groups have fought three wars and engaged in numerous smaller battles with Israel.
Rights groups have accused Israel of using excessive force and of failing to adequately investigate the killing of civilians. Israel says it makes every effort to avoid civilian casualties and accuses Palestinian militants of using civilians as human shields.
“Enforcing a military occupation on millions of people for decades requires exorbitant violence and impunity for the soldiers who sustain it,” the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem said in a statement.
“Forty-five days of community service for killing a man is but the latest example of how the military law enforcement system is designed to protect perpetrators, not their victims.”
An Associated Press investigation last year found that the military had opened investigations into 24 potentially criminal shootings of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip over the previous year. None of the cases at that time had yielded convictions or even indictments, and in most cases, the army had not interviewed key witnesses or retrieved evidence from the field.
The Palestinian Authority has asked the International Criminal Court to probe alleged Israeli war crimes, including allegations related to violence in Gaza. Israel has sought to rally the international community against any investigation, arguing that the Palestinians lack legal standing and that its own courts investigate and punish any misconduct.
Israel does not recognize the ICC, but any charges could put Israeli officials at risk of arrest in other countries.
15 june 2020
Man, minor taken for questioning after two Israeli teenagers were arrested on Sunday; IDF soldier who intervened earns praise from top Israeli officials
Two new suspects were arrested Monday on suspicion of having participated in the alleged assault of a Palestinian man in the West Bank city of Hebron, Israel Police announced on Monday.
A man and a minor were taken for questioning after two Israeli teenagers were arrested on Sunday.
Police also said six other people - three men and three minors - were arrested on suspicion of throwing stones and damaging vehicles belonging to Palestinian residents.
All suspects were brought before the Jerusalem District Court on Monday.
Saturday evening, two soldiers from the Golani brigade intervened to rescue a Palestinian man allegedly attacked in Hebron by a group of Israelis.
In a video filmed by surveillance cameras, one of the attackers can be seen striking Hebron resident, Ibrhaim Badar, several times before the Golani brigade soldier intervenes and tries to ferry the victim away from his attackers.
According to Badar, he was walking down the street when a group of several Israelis jumped and attacked him before an Israeli soldier rushed in to pull him out.
Badar expressed his gratitude toward the soldiers but regretted that no arrests had been made despite the dissemination of the images.
The actions of the unnamed soldier earned him praise from several Israeli officials, including from former IDF Chief of Staff and current Defense Minister Benny Gantz, who said he acted "as Israel Defense Forces soldiers are expected to.
Two new suspects were arrested Monday on suspicion of having participated in the alleged assault of a Palestinian man in the West Bank city of Hebron, Israel Police announced on Monday.
A man and a minor were taken for questioning after two Israeli teenagers were arrested on Sunday.
Police also said six other people - three men and three minors - were arrested on suspicion of throwing stones and damaging vehicles belonging to Palestinian residents.
All suspects were brought before the Jerusalem District Court on Monday.
Saturday evening, two soldiers from the Golani brigade intervened to rescue a Palestinian man allegedly attacked in Hebron by a group of Israelis.
In a video filmed by surveillance cameras, one of the attackers can be seen striking Hebron resident, Ibrhaim Badar, several times before the Golani brigade soldier intervenes and tries to ferry the victim away from his attackers.
According to Badar, he was walking down the street when a group of several Israelis jumped and attacked him before an Israeli soldier rushed in to pull him out.
Badar expressed his gratitude toward the soldiers but regretted that no arrests had been made despite the dissemination of the images.
The actions of the unnamed soldier earned him praise from several Israeli officials, including from former IDF Chief of Staff and current Defense Minister Benny Gantz, who said he acted "as Israel Defense Forces soldiers are expected to.
Settlers in Maoz Esther and Givat HaBaladim begin rioting when Border Patrol and Civil Administration officials arrive to demolish buildings that had been torn down before and rebuilt; at least 13 people have been detained
Israeli security forces on Monday tore down a number of structures built in two illegal settlement outposts on the West Bank.
Border Police and Civil Administration forces razed six illegal buildings in the Givat HaBaladim outpost and six other illegal structures in the Maoz Esther, both located in area C.
The settler advocacy group Hanenu reports at least 13 people were detained following violent riots that erupted in the area when security forces arrived at the scene, involving the throwing of rocks.
According to the Civil Administration, these structures have been demolished a number of times before but were rebuilt by the settlers.
"Enforcement activities were carried out in accordance with regulations and procedures, subject to operational considerations," the Civil Administration said in a statement.
Residents of the outposts claim among that among the demolished buildings were two synagogues as well as homes.
Eyewitnesses report physical force was used against some of the residents whose homes had been demolished. One settler even barricaded himself inside his structure and had to be forcibly removed.
In April, during the demolition of illegally built structures in an outpost adjacent to the Yizhar settlement, some settlers began rioting, vandalizing security forces' vehicles. video april
Israeli security forces on Monday tore down a number of structures built in two illegal settlement outposts on the West Bank.
Border Police and Civil Administration forces razed six illegal buildings in the Givat HaBaladim outpost and six other illegal structures in the Maoz Esther, both located in area C.
The settler advocacy group Hanenu reports at least 13 people were detained following violent riots that erupted in the area when security forces arrived at the scene, involving the throwing of rocks.
According to the Civil Administration, these structures have been demolished a number of times before but were rebuilt by the settlers.
"Enforcement activities were carried out in accordance with regulations and procedures, subject to operational considerations," the Civil Administration said in a statement.
Residents of the outposts claim among that among the demolished buildings were two synagogues as well as homes.
Eyewitnesses report physical force was used against some of the residents whose homes had been demolished. One settler even barricaded himself inside his structure and had to be forcibly removed.
In April, during the demolition of illegally built structures in an outpost adjacent to the Yizhar settlement, some settlers began rioting, vandalizing security forces' vehicles. video april
14 june 2020
Attorney Ben Gvir, who represents one of the Jewish youths implicated in the Hebron attack, says the Palestinian man is 'not as innocent' as the army makes him out to be; victim says he was talking on the phone when settlers surrounded him and began hitting him
Police on Sunday questioned Jewish settlers, caught on camera attacking a Palestinian man in the West Bank, who was then rescued by an IDF soldier.
Israeli authorities opened an investigation after video footage emerged showing a group of settler youth attacking the Palestinian at a checkpoint near a Jewish settlement in Hebron on Friday evening. The footage shows the man was later rescued by an Israeli soldier from the Golani Brigade.
Attorney Itamar Ben Gvir (leader of Otzma Yehudit party), who represents one of the suspects, said the Palestinian is "not as innocent" as he appears to be.
Already there is an indication that the Arab citizen caught on camera is not as innocent as they [the police] were trying to present him to be," Ben Gvir said. "He had earlier struck a number of young people and they responded."
The victim, Ibrahim Badr, told Ynet he was talking on his phone just outside his house, when a group of "seven or eight" settlers surrounded him.
"None of them spoke to me, they just started beating me and I tried to defend myself," he said. "The soldier did indeed rescue me from their hands, but even after more forces were called to the scene, nobody arrested the attackers and they are still free."
According to the army's preliminary investigation, the soldier was also targeted by the settlers for rescuing the Palestinian and calling for backup.
The IDF and even Defense Minister Benny Gantz both issued statements fully backing the soldier's actions and called on the settlement's officials to condemn the actions of the youths.
"The Golani soldier who protected a Palestinian resident in Hebron acted as every soldier and commander in the IDF should in this situation," said Gantz on his Twitter account. "The IDF is committed to the safety of civilians wherever it operates, and I trust the IDF commanding officers to investigate the incident in an orderly manner."
Police on Sunday questioned Jewish settlers, caught on camera attacking a Palestinian man in the West Bank, who was then rescued by an IDF soldier.
Israeli authorities opened an investigation after video footage emerged showing a group of settler youth attacking the Palestinian at a checkpoint near a Jewish settlement in Hebron on Friday evening. The footage shows the man was later rescued by an Israeli soldier from the Golani Brigade.
Attorney Itamar Ben Gvir (leader of Otzma Yehudit party), who represents one of the suspects, said the Palestinian is "not as innocent" as he appears to be.
Already there is an indication that the Arab citizen caught on camera is not as innocent as they [the police] were trying to present him to be," Ben Gvir said. "He had earlier struck a number of young people and they responded."
The victim, Ibrahim Badr, told Ynet he was talking on his phone just outside his house, when a group of "seven or eight" settlers surrounded him.
"None of them spoke to me, they just started beating me and I tried to defend myself," he said. "The soldier did indeed rescue me from their hands, but even after more forces were called to the scene, nobody arrested the attackers and they are still free."
According to the army's preliminary investigation, the soldier was also targeted by the settlers for rescuing the Palestinian and calling for backup.
The IDF and even Defense Minister Benny Gantz both issued statements fully backing the soldier's actions and called on the settlement's officials to condemn the actions of the youths.
"The Golani soldier who protected a Palestinian resident in Hebron acted as every soldier and commander in the IDF should in this situation," said Gantz on his Twitter account. "The IDF is committed to the safety of civilians wherever it operates, and I trust the IDF commanding officers to investigate the incident in an orderly manner."
