Lawmakers Linked to Convicted Rabbi Receive Support in Likud Primaries

Following reports that several Knesset members and ministers visited the home of Rabbi Pinto, who was convicted of bribery and obstruction of justice and served a prison sentence, new details have emerged about political support connected to him. It was revealed that MK Moshe Saada, who served as deputy commander of the Police Internal Investigations Department during the investigation of Pinto, received special backing attributed to what Pinto's circle calls a "debt of gratitude." This support is significant in the context of the upcoming Likud party primaries ahead of the 2026 elections. The revelations highlight the ongoing influence of religious figures in Israeli political processes and raise questions about the intertwining of legal controversies and political alliances.