Allegations Against Economy Ministry CEO Over Vignet Collapse and Asset Transfer

An investigative report says Motty Gamsheh, now director general of Israel’s Ministry of Economy, is accused of helping take over a profitable media company founded by recently discharged combat soldiers and leaving its founders with debt and threats. The company, Vignet, was built by Daniel Mizrahi, Aviv Maharat and later Netanel Mazor, who sold ad space and TV promotion to small and midsize businesses and signed deals with Walla, Calcalist and Reshet 13. The founders say they believed Gamsheh would help them secure a major partnership with Reshet 13, but instead he allegedly maneuvered to control the business. Gamsheh denies everything.

According to the report, Gamsheh joined as a consultant after the company had grown rapidly, and the founders say he leveraged his connections with public figures, celebrities and business leaders to present himself as indispensable. They describe expensive perks they gave him, including a Yu Towers apartment, an Audi Q5, electronics and vacations. They also say he warned them not to deal directly with Reshet 13, used a meeting with then-CEO Avi Ben Tal to pressure them, and spoke about having ties to Black Cube. One quoted message attributed to Gamsheh to Mazor said, “I will crush them, I will trample them. It is that easy.”

The company’s situation deteriorated in late 2021. In August it reached its peak revenue, but by September Reshet 13 was delivering less advertising than expected and then halted campaigns. The founders say Gamsheh blocked legal action, claimed negotiations were advancing, and pushed them to keep selling. By December, debts were mounting, clients were angry, and an outside investor considering a 5 million shekel injection backed out. The founders say Gamsheh then told them he had secured a deal with Reshet 13, but only if he and his cousin, Rafi Gamsheh, became the new owners.

The report says the Gamshehs later formed a new company, took over Vignet’s activity, employees and offices, and left the original company with unpaid obligations to thousands of small-business clients. Eight days after presenting a rescue plan, Motty Gamsheh allegedly told workers the assets would be moved to the new company and the debts would not be repaid. The founders say 350,000 shekels transferred for equipment and offices did not go to creditors, and part of it quickly went to Gamsheh. An insolvency trustee later collected new testimony and materials, and a sharp warning letter was sent. The Gamshehs said in response that the claims are baseless, that Vignet had serious irregularities, and that they never took responsibility for its debts.