Dispute Between Half Price Partners Escalates to Court Over Control and Debt Issues

The longstanding partnership between the Cooperli and Shalom families, co-owners of the Israeli retail chain Half Price and their joint real estate company, has deteriorated into a severe conflict. The widow and daughter of the late founder Zaki Shalom filed a lawsuit against Moti Cooperli, accusing him of minority oppression and demanding the dissolution of their real estate partnership and separation from the retail business, which is burdened with debts totaling 1.2 billion shekels. The dispute centers on alleged financial mismanagement, including unpaid debts from the real estate company to the retail chain amounting to 197 million shekels, and additional bank debts of 920 million shekels as of September 2025.

The Shalom family claims that Cooperli has exercised unilateral control over the real estate company, sidelining Orith Shalom, Zaki’s daughter and the retail chain’s commercial manager, and violating a previously informal agreement of joint management. The lawsuit reveals that Cooperli allegedly used Half Price’s assets as collateral for private loans and that the Binyamina wineries owned by Half Price lost 18 million shekels in 2024, with debts of 200 million shekels. Tensions escalated after a board meeting and shareholders’ assembly, dominated by the Cooperli family, appointed Moti Cooperli as CEO, which the Shalom family viewed as a breach of the status quo.

The conflict also includes a violent incident where Cooperli reportedly threw a bottle that struck Orith Shalom’s face, causing injury. The lawsuit accuses Cooperli of obstructing corporate governance reforms and blocking efforts to improve transparency and financial stability. Despite attempts to form a professional committee to address the group’s financial issues, Cooperli allegedly undermined these efforts and consolidated power, signing major deals alone and increasing the companies’ leverage without proper oversight.

Half Price operates eight supermarkets in central Israel and is held two-thirds by the Cooperli family and one-third by the Shalom family. The real estate company, Cooperli and Shalom Investments, was established in 2004 to invest retail profits into property. The lawsuit also names Cooperli’s family members and other partners as defendants. The Shalom family demands that Cooperli buy out their shares in the real estate company and calls for restrictions on further borrowing secured by Half Price’s assets. The case exposes deep financial and managerial rifts threatening the future of both companies.

The Shalom family is represented by attorney Guy Gisin. The legal battle follows the death of Zaki Shalom six months ago, after which the partnership’s balance of power shifted dramatically. The lawsuit highlights the risk posed by high leverage and the use of retail assets to finance related companies, raising concerns about the group’s economic viability and governance.