developing· Security· Updated 13:46

Police Find Grounds to Indict Former Bar Chief Nave and Judge Ornstein

The National Fraud Unit of Lahav 433 has concluded its investigation into former Israel Bar Association Chairman Efi Naveh and former Tel Aviv District Court President Eitan Orenstein. Police announced on Wednesday that they have gathered sufficient evidence to indict both men on bribery charges.

10 newsrooms · 3 languages · since 13:16

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Police Find Grounds to Indict Former Bar Chief Nave and Judge Ornstein — Illustration by baba

What happened

01Israel Police concluded their investigation into Efi Naveh and Eitan Orenstein, finding sufficient evidence for bribery indictments.
02Efi Naveh allegedly promoted Eitan Orenstein's appointment as Tel Aviv District Court President in a corrupt quid pro quo.
03In exchange for his promotion, Eitan Orenstein allegedly facilitated the transfer of Judge Dalia Gannot from the torts department.
04The investigation was conducted by the Lahav 433 National Fraud Unit with the Tax and Economic Crimes Prosecution.
05The case surfaced in March 2024 when Haaretz journalist Haim Levinson published leaked recordings of the two men from 2016.
06All case files have been transferred to the Tax and Economic Crimes Prosecution for a final decision on indictments.

Investigators suspect a corrupt quid pro quo relationship between the two prominent legal figures. According to the police, Naveh allegedly used his influence to advance Orenstein's appointment as president of the Tel Aviv District Court. In return, Orenstein is suspected of facilitating the transfer of Judge Dalia Gannot from her position in the court's torts department.

The case initially came to light in March 2024 following the publication of leaked 2016 recordings by Haaretz journalist Haim Levinson. In the recordings, Naveh appeared to offer the Bar Association's support for Orenstein's candidacy while demanding Gannot's removal, and Orenstein was heard saying he had paid his debt.

All investigation materials have been transferred to the Tax and Economic Crimes Prosecution. Prosecutors will now review the evidence to make a final decision on whether to file indictments.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 10 newsrooms. Updated 13:52