Kfar Saba Mayor's Detention Extended Amid Bribery Probe

A Rishon LeZion Magistrate's Court on Monday extended the detention of Kfar Saba Mayor Rafi Saar, who is suspected of accepting bribes, until Thursday. The parties are expected to agree on his release to house arrest at the end of this period. Concurrently, a hearing is underway concerning his wife, Meital Saar, who is also suspected of involvement in the affair. Businessman Eitan Sapir's detention was also extended by agreement until Thursday, after which he will be released to house arrest. Another suspect, Eliran Dostal, was released to house arrest by agreement. Sapir and Dostal are suspected of giving bribes to the mayor through his wife. Gil Menashe, another suspect, allegedly transferred cash to Meital Saar on two occasions for food businesses in which he has a hidden interest, and threatened rival entrepreneurs as part of the bribery scheme attributed to the mayor's wife. Menashe, previously convicted of fraud, denied the allegations in his interrogation, claiming no connection to municipal tenders. The investigation, which was conducted covertly for about a year and a half and included wiretaps, suggests a regular cash flow as bribes from entrepreneurs competing in municipal tenders, totaling millions of shekels. The alleged offenses began in 2019, a year after Saar took office, with the funds reportedly used to finance various purchases, including designer items, jewelry, and foreign travel. Cash bundles were found in the Saars' home, vehicles, and the homes of associates. The mayor denied the accusations, stating he never received money and that the hundreds of thousands of shekels in cash found at his home belonged to his wife. Meital Saar exercised her right to remain silent during interrogation. The investigation is ongoing.