Histadrut chief Bar-David’s detention extended until Thursday in corruption probe

A judge ruled Monday that Histadrut chairman Arnon Bar-David’s detention will be extended until Thursday, after police requested to keep the union leader in custody for another nine days in a far-reaching corruption probe, Hebrew media outlets reported.

He was arrested last week alongside his wife when police went public with the investigation, which was launched over two years ago. At the center of the probe is Bar-David’s insurance agent, Ezra Gabay, who was also arrested and is suspected of operating a massive bribery network.

Gabay allegedly exploited his close connections to the Histadrut chairman and Likud party officials to fix jobs for his associates.

Police suspect that Gabay, through Bar-David, handed out senior positions in government-owned corporations and local authorities in exchange for insurance contracts signed with his agency.

In her decision on the matter, Rishon Lezion Magistrate’s Court Judge Dorit Saban Noy said the Histadrut under Bar-David “was run like a private business,” Channel 13 reported.

She added that there is reason to believe that if freed, he will try to obstruct the investigation by attempting to coordinate suspects’ testimonies.

In addition to extending his custody for another four days, Noy ordered the Israel Prison Service to provide appropriate medical care for Bar-David, commenting that he “doesn’t look good.”

A representative for the police’s Lahav 433 major crimes unit told the court that Bar-David admitted during questioning to receiving cash from Gabay as loans —  which he said he has not paid back — retracting repeated denials on the matter after being presented with recordings proving the exchanges, Channel 12 news reported.

Bar-David has denied the allegations in the case, claiming that his interactions are within the framework of his 30-year friendship with Gabay.

Gabay’s version of events conflicted with Bar-David’s during questioning, the police representative said.

The representative told the court that investigators need additional time to question a large number of suspects, arguing that Bar-David’s release could disrupt the interrogations.

The court also extended custody for Hila Kanister Bar-David, the Histadrut chief’s wife, for another three days, after which she will be released to house arrest until December 2.

Gabay’s son, Assaf, who works as a senior executive in his father’s company, was also arrested on suspicion of partaking in the alleged million-shekel bribery scheme. Police are reportedly seeking to detain him for another seven days.

Last week, heads of various workers’ councils affiliated with the Histadrut were arrested alongside Bar-David, including the head of the Israel Railways union. The chairman of El Al’s union was questioned as a suspect after police raided his office.

The mayors of Kiryat Gat and Harish were also detained, Channel 13 reported.

Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar is also said to be suspected of involvement in the affair, and many of his subordinates in the ministry have already been questioned.

Other names also surfaced — all from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party — including those of Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, Regional Cooperation Minister David Amsalem, and Energy Minister Eli Cohen.

Gabay, who began his political activity at Likud’s Ramat Gan branch, has frequently been seen in the company of Cohen and Sa’ar, and has also held meetings with Levin.