Mayor's Mother-in-Law Admits Cash Found Belongs to Daughter
Translated & summarized from Hamal by baba
Rivka Banai, mother of Meital Saar and mother-in-law of Kfar Saba Mayor Rafi Saar, told investigators that approximately 190,000 shekels found in her home belongs to her daughter. This is part of a corruption probe into the municipality, including bribery suspicions against Meital Saar. Banai was detained and released under restrictions, while her daughter invoked her right to silence regarding the cash. The investigation is also examining Meital Saar's business dealings and alleged bribery.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Rivka Banai told investigators that 190,000 shekels found in her home belongs to her daughter, Meital Saar.
- The cash is part of a corruption investigation into Kfar Saba municipality and bribery suspicions against Meital Saar.
- Banai claims her daughter asked her to hold the money, while her lawyer states she was exhausted during questioning.
- Meital Saar, wife of Mayor Rafi Saar, remained silent when questioned about the cash found at her mother's home.
- Investigators are also examining Meital Saar's business dealings for alleged bribery and improper influence.
- Banai's lawyer confirmed she received 153,000 shekels in compensation as a victim of hostilities.
Rivka Banai, mother of Meital Saar and mother-in-law of Kfar Saba Mayor Rafi Saar, has told investigators that approximately 190,000 shekels in cash found in her home belongs to her daughter. Banai stated to investigators from Lahav 433 that her daughter asked her to hold the money for her. This statement was made as part of an investigation into alleged corruption in the Kfar Saba municipality, which includes suspicions of bribery involving Meital Saar.
According to sources familiar with the investigation, Banai told investigators, "The cash you found in my home belongs to my daughter, she gave it to me to keep for her." These sources clarified that the cash seized from Banai's home is separate from funds found in her bank account, which her lawyer claims originated from compensation she received as a victim of hostilities. Investigators are working to determine the source of the cash and the circumstances under which it was transferred to Banai.
Banai was detained for approximately three days and subsequently released under restrictive conditions. During her interrogation, she was presented with documents from her bank account that reportedly contradicted her previous statements. Despite this, the distinction between the cash and the compensation funds means that the release of the remaining deposit in her account does not explain the origin of the 190,000 shekels found at her home.
Her lawyer, Gadi Afriat, stated that it was proven to the investigative unit that Banai received 153,000 shekels in compensation as a victim of hostilities, leading to the cancellation of the freeze on the remaining deposit in her account. This compensation was awarded after she was injured while heading to a shelter during an air raid alert in the war.
Meital Saar was questioned about the cash found with her mother but, according to sources, invoked her right to remain silent regarding these questions. The investigation into the cash is proceeding alongside an examination of Meital Saar's business dealings. Investigators are exploring suspicions that businesspeople approached her due to her direct access to the mayor, seeking to advance municipal matters, gain benefits, or secure tenders, in exchange for money transfers. Several businesspeople, including a senior executive from an urban renewal company, have been arrested as part of this investigation. It is suspected that tens of thousands of shekels were transferred via bank deposits to Saar's account. Investigators are also examining the activities of a company she established for projects, suspecting that some of its operations were used to promote business interests in exchange for bribes.
Lawyer Gadi Afriat, representing the suspect, told Walla that he had not yet been exposed to the full investigation details. He added that his client does not recall what she said, stating she was exhausted and just wanted to go home. He reiterated that the compensation of 153,000 shekels was proven to the investigative unit, resulting in the release of the remaining deposit in his client's bank account.
