Shas MK Haim Biton Investigated Again Over Alleged Misuse of Public Funds for Party Newspaper

Shas Member of Knesset Haim Biton underwent a second and conclusive interrogation at the Lahav 433 unit concerning his tenure as CEO of the Maayan Hachinuch Hatorani educational network. The investigation centers on suspicions that public funds were improperly used to finance a children's weekly supplement attached to the Shas party newspaper, Haderech, circumventing a prior explicit legal prohibition.

Authorities suspect that despite the newspaper being a private entity ineligible for public funding, Maayan Hachinuch Hatorani, which receives support from the Ministry of Education, covered production costs and employee salaries for the supplement. This allegedly resulted in direct financial and promotional benefits to the Shas party at the state's expense.

The police claim that the funding continued for about two years, totaling approximately two million shekels, despite explicit opposition from the legal advisor at the time, Attorney Raz Nizri, who did not approve the arrangement. Nevertheless, education network officials reportedly found ways to bypass the ban and conceal the payments. Following the completion of the summary investigation, the findings will be forwarded for further examination. Biton faces allegations including money laundering, fraud, and breach of trust.