Son of Former Shas MK Arrested Near Ramla with Loaded Gun

Eli Eliezer Cohen, son of former Shas MK Amnon Cohen, was arrested on August 5, 2026, near Ramla on Highway 44 after police officers from the Central District's Yasam unit became suspicious of his vehicle. The officers stopped him near the Nesher factory, and during the arrest, they had to break the car window to safely detain him. A search of the vehicle uncovered a loaded FN pistol without a serial number, containing a magazine with 10 rounds of 9mm ammunition. Police suspect the gun was smuggled into Israel through border crossings.

Cohen, a resident of Rehovot in his 40s, was taken to Ramla police station for questioning. During a court hearing to extend his detention, the police presented five investigative actions they planned to carry out, three of which could be compromised if Cohen were released. His defense attorney requested release under house arrest at his parents' home, citing Cohen's stable family background. However, Judge Rafi Arnia ruled to extend Cohen's detention until August 11, 2026, due to the ongoing investigation and the seriousness of the charges.