Full coverage· Security· Updated 13:34

Police Find Evidence of Bribery in 'Give and Take' Case Involving Former Bar Head and Senior Judge

The Israel Police National Fraud Investigation Unit of Lahav 433 has concluded its investigation into former Israel Bar Association Chairman Efi Nave and former Tel Aviv District Court President Eitan Orenstein. According to Globes and Ynet, police found sufficient evidence to indict both men on bribery charges. The case materials have been transferred to the Tel Aviv District Prosecutor's Office (Taxation and Economics) for review and a final decision.

4 newsrooms · 1 language · since 13:22

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What happened

01The National Fraud Investigation Unit concluded its probe into former Bar Association head Efi Nave and former Judge Eitan Orenstein.
02According to Globes and Ynet, police found sufficient evidence to indict both Nave and Orenstein on bribery charges.
03The case materials have been transferred to the Tel Aviv District Prosecutor's Office for review and a final decision.
04Nave allegedly promoted Orenstein's appointment as Tel Aviv District Court President in exchange for transferring Judge Dalia Gannot.
05Nave reportedly sought Gannot's transfer because he believed she was unfavorable to his law firm's tort claims.
06The investigation was triggered by a March 2024 Haaretz report that exposed recorded conversations between the two men.
07Both Nave and Orenstein previously denied the allegations, citing defamation and privacy violations.

The investigation, dubbed the "Neve Tzedek" affair, focused on suspicions of a corrupt, quid pro quo relationship between the two men in 2016. Investigators suspect that Nave acted to advance Orenstein's appointment as president of the Tel Aviv District Court. In return, Orenstein allegedly agreed to transfer Judge Dalia Gannot from her position in the court's torts department, as Nave believed she was unfavorable to his law firm's tort claims.

The probe was launched following a March 2024 report in the Haaretz newspaper by Haim Levinson, which exposed recorded conversations between Nave and Orenstein. The two were detained for questioning in May 2024 on suspicion of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, and were later released on bail. Both Nave and Orenstein have previously denied any wrongdoing, citing defamation and privacy violations.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 4 newsrooms. Updated 18:16

Latest report: Ynet. Read Ynet’s original