Court rejects prosecution’s appeal of Hanegbi’s acquittal
Decision opens door for Hanegbi to return to politics as Knesset member after next elections, following his resignation from Knesset in November.
hanegbi at court_311(photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)ByRON FRIEDMAN, DAN IZENBERGThe Jerusalem District Court on Thursday rejected the prosecution’s request to appeal a July ruling acquitting former Kadima MK Tzachi Hanegbi on charges of fraud and breach of trust.The decision opens the door for Hanegbi to return to politics as a member of Knesset after the next elections, following his resignation from the Knesset in November.The state had made it clear that it intended to appeal the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court two-to-one ruling acquitting Hanegbi of these more severe charges, but it could not do so until his sentencing. The sentence was handed down on November 9, leaving the prosecution 45 days to file its appeal.However, during that period, the state attorneys went on strike, and the deadline passed without an appeal from the state. This meant the lower court ruling acquitting him of fraud and breach of trust was final. In accordance with the law, Hanegbi had resigned from the Knesset immediately following his conviction for perjury involving moral turpitude.As soon as the prosecutors’ strike ended, on December 29, the state filed a request with the court to extend the appeal deadline, arguing that special circumstances had prevented it from filing the appeal on time and that the case was of utmost public importance.In his response to the prosecution’s request, Hanegbi said he had resigned from the Knesset with the understanding that the lower court decision had become final. This was an irreversible act and there was no way back now, even if he appealed his conviction and moral turpitude ruling and the court accepted it.In Thursday’s ruling, the judges subtly criticized Attorney-General Yehuda Weinstein and State Attorney Moshe Lador for failing to take action and file an appeal while the strike was ongoing.“The heads of the legal system did not take part in the strike. Their decision to handle only administrative tasks and avoid filing the appeal during the strike, so as to, in their words, ‘honor the prosecutors’ right to strike,’ cannot substantiate a cause for accepting the motion,” Judge Moussia Arad wrote in the ruling. Jerusalem Post staff contributed to this report.RECOMMENDED STORIESHow is Iran still launching missiles at Israel despite Israeli airstrikes?JUNE 16, 2025IDF pummels Tehran with heavy fire, 50 Israeli fighter jets take part in attacksJUNE 15, 2025A volcano ready to blow: Middle East erupts with Israeli strikes on IranJUNE 15, 2025Starlink operating in Iran, Elon Musk says, as Islamic regime shuts internet downJUNE 14, 2025Hot OpinionNow is the time for a unity government to provide clarity within the chaosByJPOST EDITORIALAs Iran vows our destruction, Israel unitesByYAIR LAPIDFive takeaways from the bomb shelter: Reflections on the Israel-Iran WarByDAVID BRINNIsrael strikes Iran: Strategic success or start of an uncertain future?BySUSAN HATTIS ROLEF