Police Recommend Indictment for Former Bar Head Nave and Retired Judge Ornstein

Israel's National Fraud Investigation Unit, Lahav 433, has concluded its investigation into Efi Naveh, the former chairman of the Bar Association, and Eitan Ornstein, a retired judge and former chairman of the Tel Aviv District Court. Police believe sufficient evidence exists to indict both men on bribery charges.

The case materials have been forwarded to the Tax and Economic Crimes Prosecution, which will decide whether to file charges or close the investigation. The investigation centers on allegations that in 2016, Naveh worked to secure Ornstein's appointment as chairman of the Tel Aviv District Court. In return, Ornstein allegedly agreed to remove Judge Dalia Ganot from the department handling compensation claims.

According to recorded conversations, Ornstein asked Naveh, who was then a member of the judicial appointments committee, to promote his candidacy. Naveh, whose private firm specializes in compensation claims, allegedly pressured then-Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, who has also been questioned in the case. Naveh reportedly asked Ornstein to sideline Judge Ganot, who was also vying for the court chairmanship and was handling compensation claims at the time. Naveh suggested transferring her to company liquidation cases, a move Ornstein reportedly promised to facilitate.

Evidence suggests that the candidate selection committee did not recommend Ganot for the chairmanship, possibly due to Naveh's actions, leading to her resignation. Later recordings capture Ornstein telling Naveh he had repaid the favor, to which Naveh responded he would find him a new one.

The investigation, initiated in 2024 following a report by former Haaretz journalist Haim Levinson, saw police search Naveh and Ornstein's homes and detain them for questioning in May 2024. Ornstein reportedly provided detailed testimony to investigators.