Kfar Saba Mayor's Wife Tells Investigators 'He Didn't Know'

Meital Saar, the wife of Kfar Saba Mayor Rafi Saar, has told investigators in the "Road to the Village" corruption probe that "he didn't know," a phrase she uses to distance her husband from the allegations. According to a senior source involved in the investigation, beyond this single statement, Saar has invoked her right to remain silent to all other questions. Her attorney, Haya Zichron Zakaï, stated that her client is following her advice, is in a very difficult mental state, and is unable to respond. During a hearing to extend her detention, Saar reportedly broke down crying, expressing concern for her two daughters, aged 14 and 15, who she claimed were not attending school. She has also reportedly lost 5 kilograms due to detention conditions and her mental state.

Investigators from Lahav 433's Yaha unit suspect Meital Saar was the primary instigator of a corruption scheme within the municipal administration. Senior sources indicate that businesspeople and those with interests would pay her significant sums, ranging from NIS 20,000 to NIS 30,000, for an initial meeting to advance their agendas. It is suspected that if she facilitated their interests and ensured they won tenders, further payments would be made on demand, always in cash. The investigation is examining eight sub-cases, with Meital Saar allegedly being the central figure who would be contacted, after which her husband, the Mayor, would allegedly ensure matters were resolved in various municipal committees or the municipal economic company.

Mayor Rafi Saar maintains his innocence, stating he has not taken any money and is not involved in the suspicions. However, investigators believe the offenses were committed jointly, with the Mayor allegedly aware of his wife's actions, benefiting from the cash bribes, and executing the agreements made between his wife and businesspeople. The investigation, which began after a year and a half of covert surveillance, has collected evidence including mobile phone data, documents, and witness testimonies. Intercepted recordings of the suspects, including municipal officials and business people, have been presented during interrogations.

One sub-case involves summer renovations where contractors allegedly paid bribes to Meital Saar to win tenders managed by the municipal economic company. The money paid by these businessmen is believed to have been passed on to the public through inflated project costs. Another sub-case concerns concessions for operating four food trucks in city parks. Businessman Efraim Kahlon, who won a tender for these concessions, is suspected of paying Meital Saar cash bribes. A draft contract for a NIS 2.5 million loan to Kahlon was also seized, though his attorney claims the loan was never finalized and was a legal, interest-bearing loan.

Investigators reject the Mayor's claim of ignorance, citing evidence of his alleged full involvement in facilitating tenders, intimidating rivals through criminal elements, and influencing municipal committees. They argue that even if he was unaware, his failure to question his wife's significant cash influxes and extravagant lifestyle is suspicious. The Yaha unit also stated that bribery charges can be attributed to individuals who are not public officials if they act in concert with a public official. Mayor Rafi Saar was elected after the previous mayor, Yehuda Ben-Hamo, resigned in 2018 due to corruption charges and was later convicted and sentenced to 30 months in prison. During the investigation, the Saars were reportedly heard discussing the fear of ending up like Ben-Hamo.