Police Wrap Up HaDerech Investigation Involving Shas MK Haim Biton

Suspected crimes encompass fraud, breach of trust, fraudulently obtaining items, theft or misappropriation, false corporate records, and additional violations.

Israel Police vehicles; illustrative.

(photo credit: Tal Gal/Flash90)

ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

AUGUST 5, 2026 15:33

Updated: AUGUST 5, 2026 17:15

Israel Police have finalized their inquiry into Shas MK Haim Biton, serving as a minister in the Education Ministry, and multiple associates. The case centers on claims that public education funds were wrongly diverted to create a children's supplement for the privately owned, Shas-affiliated newspaper HaDerech. The force made the announcement on Wednesday.

The case file moved to the State Attorney's Office taxation and economics department for examination and any decisions on next steps.

Investigators reviewed whether Education Ministry budgets for the Ma'ayan HaHinuch HaTorani education network were spent without proper approval on the supplement instead of the network's authorized educational programs.

Biton had earlier worked as director-general of the network.

Moshe Avitan and Other Newspaper Officials Under Scrutiny

The inquiry also covered the network's procurement director Moshe Avitan and additional HaDerech officials, police stated.

The probe started in secret before going public on March 18, 2025.

Suspected crimes encompass fraud and breach of trust, fraudulently obtaining items, theft or misappropriation, false entries in corporate documents, and violations under anti-money laundering law.