13 sept 2018
Keyes; Salazar
After a dozen women claim they were sexually harassed, aggressively hit on by PM's foreign media spokesman, David Keyes steps down while vigorously denying allegations; ‘I have asked to take time off to clear my name. I am fully confident that the truth will come out,’ Keyes says.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's spokesman for the foreign media David Keyes announced Thursday that he has decided to step down from his position in light of the multiple sexual abuse allegations being leveled against him.
“In light of the false and misleading accusations against me and in order not to distract from the important work of the prime minister, I have asked to take time off to clear my name. I am fully confident that the truth will come out,” read a statement by Keyes.
A day after New York state Senate candidate Julia Salazar revealed that she was sexually assaulted in 2013 by Keyes, several more women have come forward claiming Keyes sexually assaulted them as well, according to the Times of Israel.
In total, twelve women have now come forward saying Keyes behaved aggressively and sexually inappropriately toward them. One of the accusers produced an email exchange in which Keyes apologizes for not acting like a gentleman.
Channel 10 reported that two women who worked in 2013 at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank complained to their superiors that Keyes' behavior during a visit varied from aggressively hitting on them to sexual assault.
On Tuesday, Julia Salazar, 27, a Democratic primaries candidate for the New York state Senate, claimed that she was sexually assaulted by Keyes a few years ago.
Salazar tweeted that she had decided to go public with the incident ahead of an article outing her as an alleged victim of Keyes: "Before this runs, I want to come forward and confirm that I was a victim of sexual assault by David Keyes—the prime minister of Israel’s spokesperson to the foreign media," Salazar posted on Twitter.
“This story appears to be an effort to cast doubt upon my, and other women’s, accusations against Keyes. I’ve spoken to other journalists who were investigating accusations against David Keyes on background about this experience, but have never spoken on the record about it until now. There’s a reason women don’t often come forward after a traumatic experience—because of the triggering and vicious responses that follow,” she wrote.
"I strongly believe sexual assault survivors should not be outed in this way, and am saddened by the effect this story may have on other women," she added.
On Wednesday, Wall Street Journal reporter Shayndi Raice tweeted that she too had a “terrible encounter” with Keyes and that she fully believed Salazar.
“The man had absolutely no conception of the word “no.” No matter how often I said no, he would not stop pushing himself on me. I was able to extricate myself quickly and it was a very brief and uncomfortable moment but I knew as I walked away I had encountered a predator,” wrote Raice on Twitter.
She added that she later discovered that Keyes’ inappropriate behavior towards women was an open secret. She also pointed out that her encounter occurred before Keyes was appointed to his position as spokesman.
The Daily News reported that Salazar's senate campaign included a series of dubious claims including that she grew up in a poor immigrant household and that she is of Sephardic Jewish descent.
Salazar was born in Florida to an American mother and Colombian father and raised Catholic. Her brother denied claims that their family has Jewish roots adding that were raised in an upper middle class family. Salazar even has a trust fund in her name worth over half a million dollars.
Keyes, 34, pointed to Salazar’s inconsistent statements in his defense against the accusations: "The false accusations were made by one who has been proven to have made misleading statements about her life.”
Two years ago, Salazar posted about the incident on Facebook, but after a short time she deleted the post and closed her Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Keyes admitted at the time that the two had a sexual encounter, but insisted that everything was entirely consensual.
"I've been silent for almost three years, but now it's time to talk," Salazar wrote two years ago, before erasing the post. "The new speaker for the Israeli prime minister is a person who sexually assaulted me, and I am here to tell this in the first person."
According to Salazar, the relationship with Keyes began with an article she wrote regarding Israeli policy. Keyes, who was working at a human rights organization at the time, asked to meet her to discuss the article at a cafe in New York and when the place closed suggested they move to his apartment.
"We were in the middle of a friendly political argument, and I agreed to go to his apartment in New York. It seemed completely harmless to me at first, but from the moment we were alone, he was no longer interested in politics and tried to force me to do things I did not want to do,” Salazar wrote.
“I said no at least a dozen times. I was really not interested in any physical contact with this guy, and after I objected to stay in his apartment, he physically forced himself upon me—and only after I yielded to him did he let me leave the apartment," she continued.
"I remember going into the elevator crying, and I went down to the ground floor so I could wipe my face with a handkerchief so the doorman would not see me leaving the building in tears so late at night."
Prior to being appointed to the position, Keyes successfully passed a polygraph examination, in which he was asked whether he had harmed women.
Friends of Keyes rebuffed the charges claiming that they constitute an attempt at "political assassination" by a young woman known to be active in the BDS organization. They also stated that she had been denied entry to Israel in the past after she was arrested during a demonstration against the state.
"This is an anti-Zionist young woman; there is a clear motive for political revenge here."
After a dozen women claim they were sexually harassed, aggressively hit on by PM's foreign media spokesman, David Keyes steps down while vigorously denying allegations; ‘I have asked to take time off to clear my name. I am fully confident that the truth will come out,’ Keyes says.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's spokesman for the foreign media David Keyes announced Thursday that he has decided to step down from his position in light of the multiple sexual abuse allegations being leveled against him.
“In light of the false and misleading accusations against me and in order not to distract from the important work of the prime minister, I have asked to take time off to clear my name. I am fully confident that the truth will come out,” read a statement by Keyes.
A day after New York state Senate candidate Julia Salazar revealed that she was sexually assaulted in 2013 by Keyes, several more women have come forward claiming Keyes sexually assaulted them as well, according to the Times of Israel.
In total, twelve women have now come forward saying Keyes behaved aggressively and sexually inappropriately toward them. One of the accusers produced an email exchange in which Keyes apologizes for not acting like a gentleman.
Channel 10 reported that two women who worked in 2013 at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank complained to their superiors that Keyes' behavior during a visit varied from aggressively hitting on them to sexual assault.
On Tuesday, Julia Salazar, 27, a Democratic primaries candidate for the New York state Senate, claimed that she was sexually assaulted by Keyes a few years ago.
Salazar tweeted that she had decided to go public with the incident ahead of an article outing her as an alleged victim of Keyes: "Before this runs, I want to come forward and confirm that I was a victim of sexual assault by David Keyes—the prime minister of Israel’s spokesperson to the foreign media," Salazar posted on Twitter.
“This story appears to be an effort to cast doubt upon my, and other women’s, accusations against Keyes. I’ve spoken to other journalists who were investigating accusations against David Keyes on background about this experience, but have never spoken on the record about it until now. There’s a reason women don’t often come forward after a traumatic experience—because of the triggering and vicious responses that follow,” she wrote.
"I strongly believe sexual assault survivors should not be outed in this way, and am saddened by the effect this story may have on other women," she added.
On Wednesday, Wall Street Journal reporter Shayndi Raice tweeted that she too had a “terrible encounter” with Keyes and that she fully believed Salazar.
“The man had absolutely no conception of the word “no.” No matter how often I said no, he would not stop pushing himself on me. I was able to extricate myself quickly and it was a very brief and uncomfortable moment but I knew as I walked away I had encountered a predator,” wrote Raice on Twitter.
She added that she later discovered that Keyes’ inappropriate behavior towards women was an open secret. She also pointed out that her encounter occurred before Keyes was appointed to his position as spokesman.
The Daily News reported that Salazar's senate campaign included a series of dubious claims including that she grew up in a poor immigrant household and that she is of Sephardic Jewish descent.
Salazar was born in Florida to an American mother and Colombian father and raised Catholic. Her brother denied claims that their family has Jewish roots adding that were raised in an upper middle class family. Salazar even has a trust fund in her name worth over half a million dollars.
Keyes, 34, pointed to Salazar’s inconsistent statements in his defense against the accusations: "The false accusations were made by one who has been proven to have made misleading statements about her life.”
Two years ago, Salazar posted about the incident on Facebook, but after a short time she deleted the post and closed her Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Keyes admitted at the time that the two had a sexual encounter, but insisted that everything was entirely consensual.
"I've been silent for almost three years, but now it's time to talk," Salazar wrote two years ago, before erasing the post. "The new speaker for the Israeli prime minister is a person who sexually assaulted me, and I am here to tell this in the first person."
According to Salazar, the relationship with Keyes began with an article she wrote regarding Israeli policy. Keyes, who was working at a human rights organization at the time, asked to meet her to discuss the article at a cafe in New York and when the place closed suggested they move to his apartment.
"We were in the middle of a friendly political argument, and I agreed to go to his apartment in New York. It seemed completely harmless to me at first, but from the moment we were alone, he was no longer interested in politics and tried to force me to do things I did not want to do,” Salazar wrote.
“I said no at least a dozen times. I was really not interested in any physical contact with this guy, and after I objected to stay in his apartment, he physically forced himself upon me—and only after I yielded to him did he let me leave the apartment," she continued.
"I remember going into the elevator crying, and I went down to the ground floor so I could wipe my face with a handkerchief so the doorman would not see me leaving the building in tears so late at night."
Prior to being appointed to the position, Keyes successfully passed a polygraph examination, in which he was asked whether he had harmed women.
Friends of Keyes rebuffed the charges claiming that they constitute an attempt at "political assassination" by a young woman known to be active in the BDS organization. They also stated that she had been denied entry to Israel in the past after she was arrested during a demonstration against the state.
"This is an anti-Zionist young woman; there is a clear motive for political revenge here."
9 sept 2018
Officer suspected of robbing Palestinian vehicles joined by his family in attacking Moshe Mizrahi as latter captures assault on film; cop claims camera was pushed in his face.
A Border Police officer who was arrested last week for allegedly stealing money from Palestinian vehicles attacked a Ynet photographer at the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court on Thursday.
The officer began beating photographer Moshe Mizrahi after seeing that he was recording him on camera.
Soon after, two members of the assailant's family joined the brawl and began assaulting the photographer, smashing wall paintings in the process.
Within seconds, the court's security guards arrived at the scene and after a short struggle handcuffed the violent police officer.
The attack took place in front of the photographer's young son, who arrived with his father to court.
Following the attack, the Police Investigation Unit said that it was opening an investigation.
The attorney of the suspect said in response that his client "claims that a camera was pushed into his face, scratching him in the eye in the process. As a result, a riot ensued, the court guard intervened and took my client aside. I condemn any violence whatsoever, and if there are allegations regarding the attack, they should go through the appropriate channels."
The policeman and his colleague were arrested last Tuesday on suspicion of stealing money and property from vehicles belonging to Palestinian residents whom they arrested.
Last week, the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court extended the suspects' detention by three days.
In her decision, Judge Mika Banki wrote that the defendants' explanations for the theft were unacceptable.
"The gravity of the actions attributed to the defendants cannot be underestimated. The assailant's claim that he committed the theft because of financial distress cannot justify his actions at this point," the judge said.
A senior official from the Israel Border Police said that his force takes the violent incident seriously, adding that steps are already being taken to immediately discharge the suspect from his police service.
The Police Investigation Unit said in response that "Ynet's photographer has filed a complaint and the Department for the Investigation of Police Personnel opened an investigation into the incident.
In addition, the police questioned the two officers for allegedly robbing Palestinians' vehicles at a police checkpoint while on duty."
A Border Police officer who was arrested last week for allegedly stealing money from Palestinian vehicles attacked a Ynet photographer at the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court on Thursday.
The officer began beating photographer Moshe Mizrahi after seeing that he was recording him on camera.
Soon after, two members of the assailant's family joined the brawl and began assaulting the photographer, smashing wall paintings in the process.
Within seconds, the court's security guards arrived at the scene and after a short struggle handcuffed the violent police officer.
The attack took place in front of the photographer's young son, who arrived with his father to court.
Following the attack, the Police Investigation Unit said that it was opening an investigation.
The attorney of the suspect said in response that his client "claims that a camera was pushed into his face, scratching him in the eye in the process. As a result, a riot ensued, the court guard intervened and took my client aside. I condemn any violence whatsoever, and if there are allegations regarding the attack, they should go through the appropriate channels."
The policeman and his colleague were arrested last Tuesday on suspicion of stealing money and property from vehicles belonging to Palestinian residents whom they arrested.
Last week, the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court extended the suspects' detention by three days.
In her decision, Judge Mika Banki wrote that the defendants' explanations for the theft were unacceptable.
"The gravity of the actions attributed to the defendants cannot be underestimated. The assailant's claim that he committed the theft because of financial distress cannot justify his actions at this point," the judge said.
A senior official from the Israel Border Police said that his force takes the violent incident seriously, adding that steps are already being taken to immediately discharge the suspect from his police service.
The Police Investigation Unit said in response that "Ynet's photographer has filed a complaint and the Department for the Investigation of Police Personnel opened an investigation into the incident.
In addition, the police questioned the two officers for allegedly robbing Palestinians' vehicles at a police checkpoint while on duty."
Stas Misezhnikov, who headed the Tourism Ministry in 2010 and began serving a 15-month prison term last December for malfeasance, leaves Hermon Prison after eight months.
Former tourism minister Stas Misezhnikov, who was convicted of fraud and breach of trust, was released from Hermon Prison on Sunday after serving eight months of a 15-month sentence which he began in December 2017.
The Israeli Parole Board accepted last month Misezhnikov’s appeal to reduce his sentence, which was submitted by his defense attorney, Shani Iloz.
Misezhnikov signed a plea bargain, conceding that he acted in a serious conflict of interest during his term in office, transferring NIS 1 million from Tourism Ministry funds to the Eilat Funjoya Student Festival in 2010, and at the same time recommending that the festival organizers employ Yulie Roth, with whom he had a close and discreet relationship.
In addition to time in prison, the court also sentenced Misezhnikov to six months of probation and ordered him to pay a fine of NIS 70,000.
After being allowed out of prison to his home over weekend, still as a prisoner, Misezhnikov appeared at Hermon Prison on Sunday morning where he was instructed not to violate the terms of his release.
Leaving the prison’s premises, the former minister said: “Happy new year.”
After the approval of the plea deal last year, Misezhnikov told the judge: "I confess and I'm very sorry. I take full responsibility for my error in judgment. I'm far from being a corrupt man. There are no patterns here. I'm paying a heavy price even today. Now, I'll have to start everything anew. But I'm determined after having taken responsibility for committing the offense to rehabilitate my life and the life of my family."
According to the amended indictment, Misezhnikov personally promoted the Eilat Funjoya Student Festival with the support of the Ministry of Tourism and demanded that the Director General of the ministry keep him abreast of progress on the approval of the festival's funding.
The former politician did not disclose his connection to Roth, who was employed by Peles Group (the producer of the festival) following his recommendation as Tourism Minister, and the fact that Roth is supposed to receive money for her work in producing the festival—roughly NIS 100,000 in salary.
Misezhnikov, the State Prosecutor's Office announced, took advantage of his senior public position and high standing to arrange lucrative ventures for Roth, and in so doing, committed fraud and an act of breach of trust that harms the general public.
Misezhnikov was initially also charged with bribery, disruption of proceedings and possession and use of an illegal narcotic (cocaine). These charges were retracted of as part of the plea deal.
Former tourism minister Stas Misezhnikov, who was convicted of fraud and breach of trust, was released from Hermon Prison on Sunday after serving eight months of a 15-month sentence which he began in December 2017.
The Israeli Parole Board accepted last month Misezhnikov’s appeal to reduce his sentence, which was submitted by his defense attorney, Shani Iloz.
Misezhnikov signed a plea bargain, conceding that he acted in a serious conflict of interest during his term in office, transferring NIS 1 million from Tourism Ministry funds to the Eilat Funjoya Student Festival in 2010, and at the same time recommending that the festival organizers employ Yulie Roth, with whom he had a close and discreet relationship.
In addition to time in prison, the court also sentenced Misezhnikov to six months of probation and ordered him to pay a fine of NIS 70,000.
After being allowed out of prison to his home over weekend, still as a prisoner, Misezhnikov appeared at Hermon Prison on Sunday morning where he was instructed not to violate the terms of his release.
Leaving the prison’s premises, the former minister said: “Happy new year.”
After the approval of the plea deal last year, Misezhnikov told the judge: "I confess and I'm very sorry. I take full responsibility for my error in judgment. I'm far from being a corrupt man. There are no patterns here. I'm paying a heavy price even today. Now, I'll have to start everything anew. But I'm determined after having taken responsibility for committing the offense to rehabilitate my life and the life of my family."
According to the amended indictment, Misezhnikov personally promoted the Eilat Funjoya Student Festival with the support of the Ministry of Tourism and demanded that the Director General of the ministry keep him abreast of progress on the approval of the festival's funding.
The former politician did not disclose his connection to Roth, who was employed by Peles Group (the producer of the festival) following his recommendation as Tourism Minister, and the fact that Roth is supposed to receive money for her work in producing the festival—roughly NIS 100,000 in salary.
Misezhnikov, the State Prosecutor's Office announced, took advantage of his senior public position and high standing to arrange lucrative ventures for Roth, and in so doing, committed fraud and an act of breach of trust that harms the general public.
Misezhnikov was initially also charged with bribery, disruption of proceedings and possession and use of an illegal narcotic (cocaine). These charges were retracted of as part of the plea deal.
3 sept 2018
IDF says investigation, which also included arrest of civilians, part of a number of steps to enforce prohibition of drug use; promises to 'use the full force of the law' against any soldier selling drugs.
Thirty-five IDF soldiers and civilians were arrested on Sunday on suspicion of involvement in selling and using drugs.
The investigation was led by the Central Unit for Special Investigations Department of the military criminal investigation division (CID), and is also being carried out by the Military Advocate General and the Israel Police.
The majority of the suspects are soldiers from various units, while some of those arrested are also suspected of committing drug offenses on IDF bases.
The suspects are due to be brought before a military court for a hearing on the extension of their detention.
“This activity is only part of a number of steps being taken by the IDF to enforce the prohibition of drugs among its soldiers and to use the full force of the law to hold to account every soldier who is involved in the trading of drugs or bringing drugs into the army,” an IDF statement read.
Last month, close to 70 soldiers were arrested in a wave of various operations on suspicion of drug-related offenses. Combat soldiers and career officers were among those nabbed in the busts.
Last Friday, a non-commissioned officer from the IDF Engineering Corps was also detained on suspicion of smoking marijuana on dozens of occasions.
Thirty-five IDF soldiers and civilians were arrested on Sunday on suspicion of involvement in selling and using drugs.
The investigation was led by the Central Unit for Special Investigations Department of the military criminal investigation division (CID), and is also being carried out by the Military Advocate General and the Israel Police.
The majority of the suspects are soldiers from various units, while some of those arrested are also suspected of committing drug offenses on IDF bases.
The suspects are due to be brought before a military court for a hearing on the extension of their detention.
“This activity is only part of a number of steps being taken by the IDF to enforce the prohibition of drugs among its soldiers and to use the full force of the law to hold to account every soldier who is involved in the trading of drugs or bringing drugs into the army,” an IDF statement read.
Last month, close to 70 soldiers were arrested in a wave of various operations on suspicion of drug-related offenses. Combat soldiers and career officers were among those nabbed in the busts.
Last Friday, a non-commissioned officer from the IDF Engineering Corps was also detained on suspicion of smoking marijuana on dozens of occasions.
31 aug 2018
Breaking the Silence CEO Avner Gvaryahu detained by Border Police
Border Police detain Left-Wing organization's activists who arrive at settlement in West Bank for an 'educational tour' following the attack on 4 Ta’ayush NGO members Saturday.
The border Police Force detained Friday for questioning the CEO of Breaking the Silence, Avner Gvaryahu, and two additional activists of the left-wing NGO— Ahiya Schatz and Michael Sfard—after they arrived at the settlement of Mitzpe Yair in the Mount Hebron area of the West Bank.
Gvaryahu, Schatz and Sfard were released shortly afterwards and are expected to give their testimony on the incident next week.
A Breaking the Silence bus arrived to the area to protest against the attack of the four activists from the Left-wing Ta’ayush NGO who were wounded Saturday in Mitzpe Yair.
After the activists encountered an IDF force that had closed the area under a special order, a confrontation erupted between them and the Border Police and IDF soldiers, resulting in Gvaryahu and the two activists being taken for questioning.
According to the West Bank police, the three were detained after violating a legal order.
Breaking the Silence issued a statement saying, "The detention of the organization's CEO Avner Gvaryahu, Ahiya Schatz and attorney Michael Sfard during an educational tour in southern Mount Hebron should worry all of Israel's citizens who value democracy.
"The Hebron brigade commander has given an incentive to the settlers who behave as bullies during an acquaintance and solidarity tour following last week's violent attack executed by settlers against the Ta’ayush NGO's activists," the NGO added.
"This is yet another unfortunate proof that the military has become the servant of the settlers and that they are the true commanders in the field," the NGO's statement concluded.
After his release, Gvaryahu said, "We are not going to give up and plan to tour southern Mount Hebron again soon. As opposed to the commander of the Hebron brigade who surrenders to the violence inflicted by settlers, we refuse to accept it."
Schatz added that "The police detained us without any reason, and we will not be silent about that."
"We'll not stop our tours and continue telling what we've been doing in the territories because this is our duty as soldiers who served there," Schatz went on to say.
Knesset member Mossi Raz (Meretz) who also took part in the tour said, "We arrived today at the violent settlement of Mitzpe Yair to protest against the settlers' behavior and the weak conduct of the police and the IDF while facing them."
"We witnessed how the army and the police follow their instructions detaining Breaking the Silence CEO and its two prominent activists," Raz elucidated.
"What happened here today is a disgrace. We encourage the human rights activists who come here every Saturday and they have our respect," he asserted.
"Someday the occupation will end," the MK concluded.
Border Police detain Left-Wing organization's activists who arrive at settlement in West Bank for an 'educational tour' following the attack on 4 Ta’ayush NGO members Saturday.
The border Police Force detained Friday for questioning the CEO of Breaking the Silence, Avner Gvaryahu, and two additional activists of the left-wing NGO— Ahiya Schatz and Michael Sfard—after they arrived at the settlement of Mitzpe Yair in the Mount Hebron area of the West Bank.
Gvaryahu, Schatz and Sfard were released shortly afterwards and are expected to give their testimony on the incident next week.
A Breaking the Silence bus arrived to the area to protest against the attack of the four activists from the Left-wing Ta’ayush NGO who were wounded Saturday in Mitzpe Yair.
After the activists encountered an IDF force that had closed the area under a special order, a confrontation erupted between them and the Border Police and IDF soldiers, resulting in Gvaryahu and the two activists being taken for questioning.
According to the West Bank police, the three were detained after violating a legal order.
Breaking the Silence issued a statement saying, "The detention of the organization's CEO Avner Gvaryahu, Ahiya Schatz and attorney Michael Sfard during an educational tour in southern Mount Hebron should worry all of Israel's citizens who value democracy.
"The Hebron brigade commander has given an incentive to the settlers who behave as bullies during an acquaintance and solidarity tour following last week's violent attack executed by settlers against the Ta’ayush NGO's activists," the NGO added.
"This is yet another unfortunate proof that the military has become the servant of the settlers and that they are the true commanders in the field," the NGO's statement concluded.
After his release, Gvaryahu said, "We are not going to give up and plan to tour southern Mount Hebron again soon. As opposed to the commander of the Hebron brigade who surrenders to the violence inflicted by settlers, we refuse to accept it."
Schatz added that "The police detained us without any reason, and we will not be silent about that."
"We'll not stop our tours and continue telling what we've been doing in the territories because this is our duty as soldiers who served there," Schatz went on to say.
Knesset member Mossi Raz (Meretz) who also took part in the tour said, "We arrived today at the violent settlement of Mitzpe Yair to protest against the settlers' behavior and the weak conduct of the police and the IDF while facing them."
"We witnessed how the army and the police follow their instructions detaining Breaking the Silence CEO and its two prominent activists," Raz elucidated.
"What happened here today is a disgrace. We encourage the human rights activists who come here every Saturday and they have our respect," he asserted.
"Someday the occupation will end," the MK concluded.
28 aug 2018
Oren Shlomo Mayer allegedly murdered a Canadian teacher in a drug-related dispute. With the help of an accomplice, Mayer allegedly dismembered the body before escaping to the Philippines disguised as a backpacker; His accomplice confessed the crime, and local authorities expect Mayer to be extradited soon.
An Israeli-American citizen who is suspected of the murder of a Canadian English teacher in Taipei has managed to escape Taiwan to the Philippines, but faces extradition.
The suspect, Oren Shlomo Mayer, 37, was identified by the Taipei authorities as a tattoo artist. He allegedly committed the murder with the help of an American citizen, before fleeing to the Philippines.
According to media reports in Taiwan, Canadian teacher Ramgahan Sanjay Ryan was murdered last week following a dispute between drug dealers.
Mayer, known as "Oz" in Taipei, ambushed the victim together with his accomplice, Ewart Odane Bent. The two men then murdered Sanjay and dismembered the body. The dismembered body was discovered in a local park on August 22.
Local police say Mayer, who is described by local media as "the biggest marijuana dealer in northern Taiwan," was captured on security cameras when he entered a local supermarket with his accomplice. The two bought beers to celebrate the murder.
Disguised himself as a backpacker and fled to the Philippines
Last Saturday, Taipei Police arrested Bent, who confessed to the murder and testified against Mayer, who fled to the Philippines on August 25.
Security cameras captured Mayer arriving at the Taipei International Airport disguised as a backpacker. He managed to get on a flight to the Philippines, which has an extradition agreement with Taiwan. Consequently, Mayer may be extradited to Taiwan soon.
According to local news agencies, Mayer was born in Israel and grew up in the United States. In 2015, he completed an internship in Los Angeles and moved to Taiwan.
During his first couple of years in Taiwan, Mayer worked as an English teacher for children aged 2 to 12. In 2017, he set up a tattoo shop in the Taiwanese capital.
The investigation revealed that his friend Bent had been invited to Taiwan to assist Mayer in his expanding drug deals.
The two men used to spend time at a local nightclub, where they met Sanjay, who served as the club's public relations agent. The victim introduced himself as an English teacher, but the police believe he was also dealing drugs.
During police questioning, Bent claimed Mayer had advised him to run away to the Philippines with him, but he refused, since he believed local authorities will never find out the truth.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem, "the media reports in Taiwan have been brought to our attention. We have no information to offer beyond that."
An Israeli-American citizen who is suspected of the murder of a Canadian English teacher in Taipei has managed to escape Taiwan to the Philippines, but faces extradition.
The suspect, Oren Shlomo Mayer, 37, was identified by the Taipei authorities as a tattoo artist. He allegedly committed the murder with the help of an American citizen, before fleeing to the Philippines.
According to media reports in Taiwan, Canadian teacher Ramgahan Sanjay Ryan was murdered last week following a dispute between drug dealers.
Mayer, known as "Oz" in Taipei, ambushed the victim together with his accomplice, Ewart Odane Bent. The two men then murdered Sanjay and dismembered the body. The dismembered body was discovered in a local park on August 22.
Local police say Mayer, who is described by local media as "the biggest marijuana dealer in northern Taiwan," was captured on security cameras when he entered a local supermarket with his accomplice. The two bought beers to celebrate the murder.
Disguised himself as a backpacker and fled to the Philippines
Last Saturday, Taipei Police arrested Bent, who confessed to the murder and testified against Mayer, who fled to the Philippines on August 25.
Security cameras captured Mayer arriving at the Taipei International Airport disguised as a backpacker. He managed to get on a flight to the Philippines, which has an extradition agreement with Taiwan. Consequently, Mayer may be extradited to Taiwan soon.
According to local news agencies, Mayer was born in Israel and grew up in the United States. In 2015, he completed an internship in Los Angeles and moved to Taiwan.
During his first couple of years in Taiwan, Mayer worked as an English teacher for children aged 2 to 12. In 2017, he set up a tattoo shop in the Taiwanese capital.
The investigation revealed that his friend Bent had been invited to Taiwan to assist Mayer in his expanding drug deals.
The two men used to spend time at a local nightclub, where they met Sanjay, who served as the club's public relations agent. The victim introduced himself as an English teacher, but the police believe he was also dealing drugs.
During police questioning, Bent claimed Mayer had advised him to run away to the Philippines with him, but he refused, since he believed local authorities will never find out the truth.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem, "the media reports in Taiwan have been brought to our attention. We have no information to offer beyond that."
27 aug 2018
Yair Elalouf, who aided the three Arab men attacked on a Haifa beach by group of young Jewish men, says 'They had brutally beaten them with the clubs for 3-4 minutes, and one of the attackers used an iron chain.'
The three Arabs who were attacked by a group of Jews on a Haifa beach were shocked and surprised to learn the two suspects arrested in the case—a 23 year old from Kiryat Haim and another 29 year old from the north—were released from police custody and put on house arrest, with the judges citing lack of evidence to tie them to the incident.
One of the victims' friends said Sunday they "have been questioned since this morning. We were surprised the suspects were released."
"We implore the police to continue investing efforts (in the investigation), and we trust that they'll do everything to find the perpetrators," he added.
During the suspects' remand extension hearing, the police told the court that they have security camera footage of the attack. However, the police representative admitted that investigators have yet to thoroughly examine the video and that the suspect has not been identified in the footage.
Yair Elalouf, who aided the three Arab men, met Sunday with the three Arab men at the police station. They said they "need to thank him for saving our lives. Without him, we wouldn't have stayed alive."
Later, the three came to visit him at work to thank him once again. "They were very nice guys, they thanked me and said, 'We were looking for you, we wanted to know where you are from, where you live,'" Elalouf said.
"They took my phone number, wanted to invite me to Shfaram to eat with them, and wanted to come to my house with their families. I told them they are more than welcomed," he went on to say.
"People ask me all the time, 'Did you know they were Arabs?' Of course I knew, but it doesn't matter who they were, I would do the same for anyone. If it is an Ethiopian, an Arab, or a Jew. It does not matter. If someone needs help, he should receive it. I wish the whole country thought like this. Some 100 people were present during the attack and nobody came to help," he lamented.
Elalouf arrived to the beach where the attack took place, not far from his home, and described the chain of events. "I parked the car near the beach because there was no parking near the house, and I saw Arabs running away and others throwing clubs at them. They took the clubs and ran to the beach. A bleeding man came to me and said, 'save my friends.'"
"They had brutally beaten them with the clubs for 3-4 minutes, and one of the attackers used an iron chain, maybe of a motorcycle or a bike," Elalouf said.
"It was terrible, it was really disgusting, they were beaten out of malice, without thinking, they (the attackers) saw that they were on the floor bleeding and unconsciousness and they continued beating them like nothing had happened. It was really terrible. No one did anything, nobody called the police, they did not want to intervene," he said.
The three Arabs who were attacked by a group of Jews on a Haifa beach were shocked and surprised to learn the two suspects arrested in the case—a 23 year old from Kiryat Haim and another 29 year old from the north—were released from police custody and put on house arrest, with the judges citing lack of evidence to tie them to the incident.
One of the victims' friends said Sunday they "have been questioned since this morning. We were surprised the suspects were released."
"We implore the police to continue investing efforts (in the investigation), and we trust that they'll do everything to find the perpetrators," he added.
During the suspects' remand extension hearing, the police told the court that they have security camera footage of the attack. However, the police representative admitted that investigators have yet to thoroughly examine the video and that the suspect has not been identified in the footage.
Yair Elalouf, who aided the three Arab men, met Sunday with the three Arab men at the police station. They said they "need to thank him for saving our lives. Without him, we wouldn't have stayed alive."
Later, the three came to visit him at work to thank him once again. "They were very nice guys, they thanked me and said, 'We were looking for you, we wanted to know where you are from, where you live,'" Elalouf said.
"They took my phone number, wanted to invite me to Shfaram to eat with them, and wanted to come to my house with their families. I told them they are more than welcomed," he went on to say.
"People ask me all the time, 'Did you know they were Arabs?' Of course I knew, but it doesn't matter who they were, I would do the same for anyone. If it is an Ethiopian, an Arab, or a Jew. It does not matter. If someone needs help, he should receive it. I wish the whole country thought like this. Some 100 people were present during the attack and nobody came to help," he lamented.
Elalouf arrived to the beach where the attack took place, not far from his home, and described the chain of events. "I parked the car near the beach because there was no parking near the house, and I saw Arabs running away and others throwing clubs at them. They took the clubs and ran to the beach. A bleeding man came to me and said, 'save my friends.'"
"They had brutally beaten them with the clubs for 3-4 minutes, and one of the attackers used an iron chain, maybe of a motorcycle or a bike," Elalouf said.
"It was terrible, it was really disgusting, they were beaten out of malice, without thinking, they (the attackers) saw that they were on the floor bleeding and unconsciousness and they continued beating them like nothing had happened. It was really terrible. No one did anything, nobody called the police, they did not want to intervene," he said.
26 aug 2018
Colombian Navy says it found hundreds of kilograms of cocaine on yacht belonging to Israeli Roy Erez, who was arrested last week on suspicion of transporting a wanted man.
Colombian authorities said they found hundreds of kilograms of cocaine on the yacht of Roy Erez, an Israeli arrested by the Colombian Navy last week on suspicion of transporting a wanted man.
According to the Colombian Navy, Erez's sail boat was flying the German flag and sailing in the Caribbean Sea in the area between Panama and Aruba.
The Navy said the yacht entered Colombia's territorial waters while deviating from its declared route to Jamaica.
The Colombian Navy took over the boat and towed it to the Colombian island of San Andrés, where they searched the vessel and found 245 rectangular packages of drugs hidden on the boat.
Colombian authorities said an examination of the packages found they contained 243 kilograms of cocaine, and the two people on board—Erez and the wanted Colombian national—were arrested on charges of trafficking, manufacturing or possessing drugs.
The Foreign Ministry said Israel's consul general in Bogotá, Yuval Sharabi, spoke to Erez on the phone and ensured he was doing okay.
Colombian authorities said they found hundreds of kilograms of cocaine on the yacht of Roy Erez, an Israeli arrested by the Colombian Navy last week on suspicion of transporting a wanted man.
According to the Colombian Navy, Erez's sail boat was flying the German flag and sailing in the Caribbean Sea in the area between Panama and Aruba.
The Navy said the yacht entered Colombia's territorial waters while deviating from its declared route to Jamaica.
The Colombian Navy took over the boat and towed it to the Colombian island of San Andrés, where they searched the vessel and found 245 rectangular packages of drugs hidden on the boat.
Colombian authorities said an examination of the packages found they contained 243 kilograms of cocaine, and the two people on board—Erez and the wanted Colombian national—were arrested on charges of trafficking, manufacturing or possessing drugs.
The Foreign Ministry said Israel's consul general in Bogotá, Yuval Sharabi, spoke to Erez on the phone and ensured he was doing okay.
Erez's sister posted on Facebook about the arrest last week, saying the Colombian Navy violently took over her brother's boat, causing damage to the vessel, claiming he was transporting a wanted man.
Erez, 38, from Tel Aviv, claimed he encountered a pirate ship two days prior and was forced at gunpoint by the crew to allow the wanted man to board. Only later did he learn the man was wanted by Colombian authorities.
Erez, 38, from Tel Aviv, claimed he encountered a pirate ship two days prior and was forced at gunpoint by the crew to allow the wanted man to board. Only later did he learn the man was wanted by Colombian authorities.
