Charges pending on hearing of 'Hazon Yeshaya' case

The Jerusalem District Attorney's Office announced today (Tuesday) to Avraham Israel, who founded and headed the 'Hazon Yeshaya' organization, who it is considering to indict him on criminal charges for his role in the Hazon Yeshaya affair, subject to a hearing to be held for him.

One should note that Rabbi Yoshiahu Pinto serves as honorary president of the association Hazon Yeshaya, and as part of the investigation conducted by the police on suspicion of fraud and money laundering, led to an investigation against the rabbi, the affair was called "the Rabbi and the commander". But a decision has not been reached regarding the Rabbi in this affair.

A message sent to his counsel stated that Avraham Israel founded the organization 'Hazon Yeshaya', whose stated mission and engagement is providing assistance to the needy, including Holocaust survivors, in various fields such as soup kitchens, professional training, dental clinics and the like.

During the years of the association, Israel served as chairman of the association, a member and signatory to it. In the framework of his role, he managed the association with all that entails, and in raising finance, managing contacts with donors and nonprofit organizations of friends, and presentation of activities of the organization to contribute to the associations of friends around the world.

Allegations against Israel are aggravated fraud, falsifying corporate documents, theft by a manager, money laundering and obstruction of justice.

The hearing summons letter addresses some of the suspicions against Avraham Israel only, for which the decision was made. More allegations against Avraham Israel, and in relation to allegations against others involved, are not yet decided.

The suspect was invited to present his arguments a hearing, to be held in the Jerusalem District Attorney's Office, as he wishes.

The case is investigated by the National Fraud Israeli police (Fraud Squad). The investigation is followed by Attorney Shira Kenny- Tal of the Jerusalem District Prosecutor's Office.

Avraham Israel's lawyers, attorney Ilan Sofer and Guy Wilf from Goldfarb Seligman & Co. said: "We received a letter of hearing specification with specifically refuted allegations that to our understanding can not even hold a civil action. The suspicions are attempting to attach civil causes of action, fabricating allegedly criminal attire. It should be emphasized that the letter of the hearing did not claim that our client took money into his pocket. It is further emphasized that the Hazon Ishaya Association was one of the most luxurious NGOs in Israel, which provided food and supported tens of thousands in need.

"Following the investigation the organization collapsed and dismantled, and no another organization took its place and filled the space. Avraham Israel, founder of the organization, supported for years tens of thousands in need. Following the investigation Avraham Israel was ousted by an unprecedented rapid trial and saw his life's course collapse in front of him. The amount of damage caused to the investigation in the case to tens of thousands in need who do not currently receive food assistance from anyone else, is simply inconceivable."

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!