Jerusalem, 17 November, 2025 (TPS-IL) — A key witness in a major Israeli corruption investigation involving the Histadrut labor federation took his own life on Sunday, only days after providing testimony to investigators.
The man, who supervised construction work at the home of Histadrut Chairman Arnon Bar-David and was considered close to the family, was found dead in the Ben Shemen Forest in central Israel.
Police emphasized that he had been summoned as a witness rather than a suspect and was “not questioned under caution.” He returned home after the interview.
His testimony was part of a sweeping probe — known as “Hand Shaking Hand” — which police describe as one of the largest public-sector corruption cases ever investigated in Israel. The inquiry became public two weeks ago after two years of covert work by Lahav 433, the police’s anti-corruption unit often described as “Israel’s FBI.” More than 260 people were questioned or gave testimony, and at least 35 have been named as suspects, including senior Histadrut officials, municipal employees, and figures from major state-linked companies.
The Histadrut is the umbrella organization of Israeli labor unions. It represents roughly 800,000 members, including public-sector employees, municipal workers, and employees from various industries and unions.
At the center of the case are Bar-David, one of israel’s most powerful labor leaders, and insurance agent and political activist Ezra Gabbay. Police suspect that Gabbay operated an extensive bribery network that traded political appointments and influence for significant financial gain.
According to investigators, Gabbay allegedly provided Histadrut officials with favors — cash, luxury travel, and high-end dining — in exchange for steering lucrative insurance contracts to his agency.
“The amount of money stolen while exploiting the status of officials crosses the entire country,” police said in describing Gabbay’s alleged activities.
Bar-David, his wife Hila, Gabbay, and Gabbay’s son Assaf were among those arrested during a dramatic raid earlier this month targeting the Histadrut’s Tel Aviv headquarters and related offices. Bar-David was released to 30 days of house arrest and suspended from all Histadrut activity for 21 days. During questioning, he acknowledged receiving cash from Gabbay after investigators confronted him with a recording.
“Gabbay is my friend,” he told interrogators, adding that he viewed him as “a political adviser who would open doors for me in the Likud and connect me with ministers.”
The alleged scheme, according to investigators, involved a “give-and-take” system in which clients who used Gabbay’s services were rewarded with jobs in municipal corporations, local authorities, and government companies. In return, officials who facilitated those appointments allegedly received financial benefits or other favors. Gabbay’s insurance agency is suspected of profiting from tens of thousands of employees whose coverage was arranged through these connections.
Superintendent Meni Binyamin, head of Lahav 433, said the investigation had uncovered “suspicions of crimes in the field of morality” involving public officials and business figures. “The investigation so far has painted a picture that shows ‘give and take’ relationships between businessmen and various elements in the public sector,” he said, noting that additional suspects are expected to be questioned as the probe continues.
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