Former Israeli footballer Michael Zandberg said on Wednesday that he had his private car seized after returning from a padel match at Kfar HaMaccabiah, describing the incident as “like a scene from a movie.” He said a tall man, about 1.90 meters, carrying handcuffs and a gun, was waiting by the vehicle and asked if he was Michael Zandberg.
According to Zandberg, the man entered the car, sat beside him, and told him the vehicle was being confiscated, pointing to a tow truck outside. Zandberg said the man was acting on behalf of the enforcement and collection system. He stressed that the seizure was not connected to an attempt to evade payment or a disputed debt, but to two payments that bounced because of a technical problem with a standing order.
Zandberg said the leasing company told him notices had been sent to a former address, emails had gone to spam, and text messages had been sent to an incorrect number he allegedly provided. He said that from their side the notices were sent, but from his side he received nothing, adding that there was no phone call, SMS, email, or other proper attempt to reach him “in 2026.”
He said lawyers, enforcement proceedings, a lien, and the car seizure followed. Zandberg also said the enforcement officer behaved humanely and drove him home before the car was loaded onto the tow truck. He added that, based on what he was told, the contract allows enforcement action after two unpaid installments without prior notice. The car remains in a lot, and he said he was told he must pay 20,000 shekels in arrears and expenses to release it, over a debt of 3,000 shekels.
