Messages Behind the Indictment of Victory’s Owner Reveal Alleged Price Coordination

Eyal Rabid, the controlling owner of the nationwide Victory supermarket chain, was detained for questioning by Israel’s Competition Authority about five years ago on suspicion of coordinating price increases. According to the report, the investigation focused on text messages found on his phone, which later led to an indictment against him.

Ahead of the opening of his trial tomorrow, the messages have been made public. In them, Rabid openly urged food suppliers to raise prices, and he referred to rival supermarket owner Rami Levy as a “terrorist.”

The case centers on alleged offenses linked to price coordination in the retail and food supply sectors. Rabid faces a possible sentence of up to five years in prison if convicted.