Culture Minister Miki Zohar Interrogated by Lahav 433 in Expanding Histadrut Corruption Case

Israel’s Culture Minister Miki Zohar faces police interrogation over suspected links to a massive bribery and job-fixing network at the Histadrut.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 19, 2026, 12:08 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Times of Israel

Interrogation of a Sitting Cabinet Minister

Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar arrived at the headquarters of the Lahav 433 major crimes unit on Sunday morning for formal interrogation. Police officials confirmed that a sitting minister was summoned to provide their version of events in a corruption probe that has recently widened to include top-tier political figures. The investigation, which has been active for months, centers on allegations of systemic bribery, fraud, and breach of trust within the nation's largest labor federation. While Zohar is among the most prominent public officials to be questioned under caution, he has maintained that the session is an opportunity to clear his name and refute all claims of involvement.

The Central Role of Ezra Gabay

The investigation focuses heavily on the activities of Ezra Gabay, an insurance agent with deep ties to both the Histadrut leadership and the Likud party. Investigators suspect that Gabay exploited his long-standing friendship with Histadrut chairman Arnon Bar-David to operate a massive bribery network. According to police reports, Gabay allegedly utilized his political connections to secure lucrative insurance contracts from government-owned corporations and local authorities. In exchange, he is thought to have used his influence to fix senior-level jobs for various associates within the labor organization, effectively turning the federation into a vehicle for political patronage.

Ministerial Response and Claims of Innocence

Following his summons, Zohar took to social media to address the public directly, stating that he arrived voluntarily to respond to all questions. He emphasized that his personal friendships with individuals involved in the case should not be misconstrued as criminal complicity. According to Zohar, the full answers provided during his interrogation will clarify that he has no connection to the illicit affairs of the Histadrut. He asserted that the claims against him are without merit and expressed confidence that the investigation will eventually exonerate him of any suspected breach of trust.