Moshe Saada Secures 17th Spot on Likud List After Tumultuous Career

Moshe Saada, a former deputy director of the Police Internal Investigations Department (Mahash), has secured the 17th position on the Likud party's Knesset list for the upcoming elections, following his 11th-place finish in the party's primaries. Saada's career has been marked by controversy, including his dismissal from Mahash in January 2022 due to a "severe and deep trust crisis" with his superior. Since his departure, he has been a vocal critic of senior law enforcement officials, accusing them of obstructing and covering up investigations related to the Netanyahu cases.

Saada initiated legislation to separate Mahash from the State Prosecutor's Office, which was approved in June 2026, despite opposition from the Attorney General. This move followed a 2023 decision by the Knesset Ethics Committee prohibiting him from advancing the bill due to a conflict of interest. Earlier, in January 2026, the District Court sharply criticized his handling of the investigation into attorney Ronel Fisher, a case for which Saada was responsible.

His tenure at Mahash, spanning 23 years, ended with his dismissal in January 2022. He later received a NIS 110,000 settlement from the state in November 2024 related to a constructive dismissal lawsuit. Saada also testified as a defense witness in the Netanyahu trial in May 2025. His political aspirations saw him initially placed at 28th on the Likud list in September 2022, before his improved primary performance.

Throughout his career, Saada has made numerous controversial public statements. In April 2025, he stated his belief that "we must starve Gazans" and that "our duty is to deport the Gazans." He has also been critical of the justice system, accusing officials of corruption and bias. In May 2026, the Ethics Committee issued him a severe reprimand for his conduct, deeming his remarks "offensive."