Former Netivei Ayalon Chairman Investigated for Fraud and Forgery

Idan David, the former chairman of Netivei Ayalon, is under investigation for alleged fraud and forgery related to inflated credentials he submitted when applying for the position. David was questioned by the Lahav 433 unit and subsequently released under restrictive conditions. The investigation, which was cleared for publication 48 hours later, centers on suspicions of obtaining benefits by fraud, breach of trust, forgery, using a forged document, and submitting a false affidavit.

The Committee for the Approval of Senior Appointments in Government Companies this week canceled its approval of David's appointment, citing serious concerns that he lied on his resume. The committee's chairwoman, Shulamit Dotan, stated that the decision to approve David was based on false information he provided, rendering the factual basis for the appointment invalid. Dotan noted that David's response to the allegations was vague and lacked substantiation, with David claiming he lacked sufficient time to provide a full response and suggesting the inquiry was not objective.

Revelations about David's background emerged in early September from an investigation by Channel 12's 'HaMekor' program. He allegedly misrepresented his role at Migdalit Agricultural Company, failing to disclose its prosecution for illegal employment of foreign workers and its subsequent bankruptcy. David also claimed credit for planning and initiating construction projects in Kiryat Motzkin and for the creation of a non-existent promenade in the city. His resume also listed him as CEO of Bat Yam's Economic Company and later as CEO of Ashkelon Municipality under Mayor Tomer Glahm.

Further scrutiny revealed that David established a private company, IDY, in 2024, purportedly dealing in real estate, claiming 320 employees and managing assets worth 4 billion shekels. Channel 12 reported that the company could not be found at the addresses provided. The establishment of IDY appears to have been crucial for David to meet the required management experience for the Netivei Ayalon chairmanship.