Police Commander Under Investigation for Bribery Resigns, to Head Tiberias Municipality

Superintendent Avishai Moalem, former commander of the Judea and Samaria District (YAMAS) special patrol unit, has resigned from the Israel Police following an investigation into suspicions of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. Moalem is reportedly set to be appointed as the Director-General of the Tiberias Municipality, a position proposed by the city's mayor.

Moalem was investigated by the Police Internal Investigations Department (Mahash) over allegations that he deliberately delayed actions against suspects involved in Jewish terrorism to advance his career within the police force. He was arrested in December 2024 and questioned for extended periods regarding these suspicions. Moalem, who was considered close to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, also faced allegations of leaking classified investigative information to individuals associated with the minister in exchange for promotion.

Moalem has claimed that the investigation against him stems from a conflict with the Jewish division of the Shin Bet security agency, which is responsible for monitoring threats and thwarting nationalist activities against Arabs in the territories. As part of the same affair, Prisons Commissioner Katy Yaacobi was also investigated on suspicion of updating Moalem about the covert investigation against him, which may have hindered Moalem's promotion. The State Attorney's Office has decided to indict Yaacobi, pending a hearing.

A spokesperson for the Tiberias Municipality stated that Avishai Moalem is one of the candidates for the Director-General position and that the selection committee will convene after the upcoming holiday.