Retired Police Commander Avishai Moalem Tapped as Tiberias City Manager

Retired Police Commander Avishai Moalem is expected to be appointed as the new Director-General of the Tiberias Municipality, i24NEWS has learned. While the municipality confirmed they are seeking a director-general, they stated that the selection committee would convene in the coming days before a formal announcement is made. Moalem, a resident of Tiberias, brings nearly four decades of service in the Israel Police, including command of a district detective unit and receiving a Medal of Courage in 2001.

The potential appointment comes amid a complex and ongoing investigation involving senior police officials and the Police Internal Investigations Department (Mahash). i24NEWS previously reported that the case involves suspicions that Prisons Commissioner Kobi Yaacobi informed Moalem about a covert Mahash investigation concerning him. The affair later expanded to include allegations of improper ties between a key witness against Yaacobi, Superintendent Lior Avraham, and Mahash.

Recordings have surfaced in which Avraham allegedly made crude and offensive remarks about a Mahash prosecutor, including sexually explicit comments and claims of a past romantic involvement. Avraham reportedly told the head of the Police Human Resources Department, Superintendent Alona Shoshan, that the prosecutor "was in love with me" and made vulgar statements. He also claimed to have had an affair with a Mahash investigator handling his case, a claim vehemently denied by the investigator. Avraham also asserted that Mahash head Keren Bar Menachem did not investigate him under caution in the case related to Minister Ben Gvir's associates because he had previously assisted her.

Avraham has offered a counter-narrative, claiming his statements were an attempt to frame Shoshan and Yaacobi, knowing he was being recorded. This claim lacks corroboration. The Competition Authority summoned a Mahash investigator for testimony but not the prosecutor or the Mahash head, despite Yaacobi's request. Bar Menachem and the prosecutor declined to comment on Avraham's recordings. Avraham and the Competition Authority did not provide a response.