Israeli Minister Meir Golan Faces Potential Bribery Charges

Israeli Social Equality Minister Meir Golan is expected to be questioned by police this week in connection with a "money case," according to Israeli media. Police suspect Golan of aggravated bribery, fraud, breach of trust, and filing a false affidavit. Sources within the police believe the gathered evidence may be sufficient to indict her. The investigation materials have been transferred to the State Prosecutor's Office for a decision.

Golan has previously refused to appear for police questioning despite multiple summons. The prosecution requested investigators give her another opportunity to present her account, and police are coordinating a date for the interrogation with her lawyers. Police announced the completion of their part of the investigation four months ago, stating that dozens of suspects and witnesses had been questioned. The probe involved allegations of bribery, fraud, document forgery, obstruction of justice, and hindering police work.

The investigation became public in September 2025 with searches of the minister's offices in Jerusalem and the detention of six individuals from her circle, including her advisor Adi Hodfi-Bitton and former parliamentary aide Ehud Gabay. At the time, Golan asserted that the detainees were only implicated because of their proximity to her. Her mother, Rimona Golan, was also questioned about documents and property registered in her name. The minister later removed her mother from the police station, shouting at officers.

The criminal investigation into Meir Golan began in February 2025, following a media report alleging she had placed relatives of her associates in fictitious positions within her ministry, where they performed no actual work but received state salaries. A central question involves potential links between donations to "Ha'ir Ha'ivrit" (The Hebrew City), an organization founded by Golan, and appointments in her ministry. The organization reportedly conducted little real activity, and its funds were allegedly misused. Golan is said to have drawn a salary from the organization while serving on its board, a violation of public organization laws. She reportedly continued to manage the organization after becoming a Knesset member, which is also prohibited.

Further details emerged regarding Ehud Gabay, who served as Golan's junior parliamentary aide, board member of her organization, and legal counsel. He allegedly charged NIS 5,000 for preparing and filing lawsuits, while Golan reportedly spent tens of thousands of shekels from her constituent outreach budget on legal documents. However, investigators could not find any lawsuits filed or handled by Gabay on her behalf. His wife, Inbal Gabay, allegedly received a fictitious position in Golan's ministry while also running a dog grooming salon. Natanel Hai Yosef, another associate, reportedly received a quarter-million shekels for political consulting work from Golan's ministry, and his partner, Noam Aarony, was allegedly employed as a coordinator in the minister's office despite not appearing there. Another associate, Roi Stern, allegedly made a donation to "Ha'ir Ha'ivrit," after which his wife, Meirav Stern, became acting director-general of Golan's ministry. The nature of their relationship and the donation were not disclosed. The investigation also touched upon Golan's activities as chair of the "Israel-Taiwan" friendship group, including an alleged staged show of aid to the needy, after which her organization received a $20,000 donation from the Taiwanese embassy, with the funds' destination unknown due to a lack of financial reporting. Finally, the report noted a contradiction between Golan's public stance against labor migrants and her alleged practice of renting her home to them.