The restrictive conditions levied upon Histadrut labor federation chairman Arnon Bar-David in November don’t have legal grounds to be continued in full, Central District Court Judge Dror Arad-Ayalon wrote in a judgment issued on Wednesday.
Bar-David, the longtime chairman of Israel’s largest labor federation, became the central figure in a sweeping corruption investigation that came to light in November.
Police raided union offices and detained Bar-David, his wife, and dozens of others amid allegations of bribery, fraud, breach of trust, and money laundering in what authorities have termed one of the most serious scandals in recent years.
Bar-David, senior colleagues suspected of trying to benefit Ezra Gabbay
Investigators say Bar-David and senior colleagues are suspected of using their positions to steer lucrative insurance portfolios and appointments to benefit an insurance businessman, Ezra Gabbay, in exchange for cash and other benefits, and the probe involves hundreds of potential suspects across labor committees, municipalities, and public entities.
He was released to house arrest under stringent restrictions and suspended from his post, with courts extending limits on his involvement in Histadrut affairs as the inquiry continues.