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

The Rishon Lezion Magistrate’s Court extends Histadrut chairman Arnon Bar-David’s detention until Thursday, after police requested to keep the union leader in custody for another nine days in a far-reaching corruption probe, Hebrew outlets report.

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, Judge Dorit Saban Noy says the Histadrut under Bar-David “was run like a private business,” Channel 13 reports.

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

A representative for police’s Lahav 433 major crimes unit reportedly tells the court that investigators need additional time to question a large number of suspects, arguing that Bar-David’s release could disrupt the interrogations.

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 reports.

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.