Police Complete Investigation of MK Haim Biton in Shas-Linked Newspaper Funding Case

The National Fraud Investigations Unit (Yahch"a) at Lahav 433 has concluded its probe into the "Haderach" newspaper case, associated with the Shas party. The investigation focused on MK Haim Biton, who previously served as CEO of the Maayan Torah Education Network, along with other officials including Moshe Avitan, the network's procurement manager. They were suspected of illegal use of public funds.

The inquiry began covertly and became public on March 18, 2025. Authorities examined allegations that Ministry of Education budgets allocated to the Maayan Torah Education Network for educational activities were improperly diverted without authorization to finance a children's supplement distributed through "Haderach," a privately owned newspaper linked to Shas.

Suspected offenses included fraud, breach of trust, receiving property by deception, theft or attempted theft, false corporate documentation, and money laundering violations. After completing all investigative actions and receiving approval from Lahav 433 Chief Superintendent Meni Binyamin and the Economic Crimes Division Chief Superintendent Boaz Balt, the case file was forwarded to the Tax and Economic Prosecution for review and decision.

About a month earlier, MK Haim Biton, who also served as a minister in the Education Ministry, was questioned under caution at Lahav 433 on suspicion of misusing public funds intended for educational purposes for political needs. The investigation covered the years 2018 to 2021, during which Biton was CEO of the "Bnei Yosef" education network. The main police suspicion was that public funds designated for "Bnei Yosef" were used to finance the Shas party's newspaper "Haderach."