Uri Blau

Articles

urib@shomrim.news

@uri_blau

The Hasbara Crisis: Leaked Document Shows Why Israel is Losing the Public Diplomacy War

After a year of war, Israel’s public diplomacy directorate is barely functioning, according to a document from the Prime Minister’s Office obtained by Shomrim and revealed here for the first time. The document describes a leadership vacuum at the National Public Diplomacy Directorate, the hiring of English-language spokespeople on a freelance basis, and the complete lack of a national public diplomacy strategy. “The damage is evident and worsening by the day,” the document states. In response, the directorate claimed, “We are working around the clock and leading Israel’s public diplomacy efforts”. A Shomrim exclusive.

September 25, 2024

Shomrim Exclusive: Germany Halts Arms Exports to Israel

Despite making no official announcement about suspending arms exports to Israel, Germany is no longer approving licenses. Since the start of the year, German arms exports to Israel have totaled just 32,000 euros and in the past six months, not a single permit has been issued. In 2023, German arms exports to Israel came to 20 million euros. The Economic Affairs Ministry in Berlin said in response: ‘Our government has made its expectations known in public and in closed-door discussions with Israel.’ A Shomrim investigation in collaboration with Austrian magazine Profil

September 15, 2024

Revealed: The NGO Opposing a Gaza Ceasefire Receives Millions in Government Funding

‘Until Victory,' a nationwide campaign that has released attack ads targeting the IDF Chief of Staff and senior members of the Israeli legal system, is funded by the NGO Shivat Zion Le’Rigvy Admata, which supports agricultural settlements and outposts in the occupied territories. An activist from the group told a potential donor that they have also circulated anonymous videos criticizing the army chief and ‘Brothers in Arms.’ In recent years, the NGO has received 7.4 million shekels ($2 Million) in government funding. A source familiar with the operations responded, stating: 'I’m not aware of any anonymous videos.' Published also in Calcalist.

September 3, 2024

Disease without Borders: Massive Piles of Garbage in Gaza also Threaten Israel

Hundreds of untreated garbage heaps have sprung up in Gaza since the collapse of the sanitation system there. The great concern is that diseases and other health and environmental hazards will cross into Israeli territory. According to experts, even the drinking water in Ashdod could be contaminated by the toxic buildups in Gaza. The Israeli military in response: We’ve set up a dedicated team to address the issue. A Shomrim investigation, also published in The Times of Israel

August 6, 2024

U.S. to Expand Sanctions on Far-Right Extremists and Settler Groups, Senior State Dept. Official Says

The United States is considering imposing sanctions on Amana, one of the key organizations in Israel’s settlement enterprise, which is involved in almost every aspect of the West Bank settlements. The Director of the Office of Economic Sanctions Policy and Implementation at the State Department: ‘We want to see a change in behavior. Mission is certainly not accomplished.” A Shomrim exclusive

July 29, 2024

The Netanyahu’s Host

New details have emerged about Simon Falic and his family, in whose Jerusalem home Sara and Benjamin Netanyahu relocated at the start of the Israel-Hamas war. Hundreds of companies in tax havens, a private jet, donations to right-wing extremist Bentzi Gopstein, and spats with his neighbors. This investigation has also been published in Calcalist.

November 29, 2023

Business as Usual: Israel’s Religious Affairs Minister Set Up a Real Estate Company in the Middle of the War

Conflict-of-interest regulations and the Knesset Members Immunity Law both bar lawmakers from having any other employment. And yet a special committee has given Michael Malkieli, the minister for religious affairs, permission to register a new company. This is the same politician who once proposed a law to downgrade transparency in the real estate industry. Malkieli in response: I am fully dedicated to the ministry. A Shomrim investigation, also published in Calcalist

April 1, 2024

Minister Nir Barkat Granted Permission to Retain Authority over His Financial Realm. His Business Associate Served on the Permits Committee

Exposé: Late last year, Economy Minister Nir Barkat attended a hearing of the Permits Committee and asked for exceptional permission to keep control of a business empire. Shomrim now reveals that one of the three members of the panel that approved his request was Shmuel Slavin, Barkat’s partner in a real estate investment trust. Following Shomrim’s inquiry, the State Comptroller announced that the approval has been rescinded and the committee will reconvene. Slavin’s response: “Barkat has distanced himself and that looks fine to me”.

February 22, 2024

Following Shomrim’s Investigative Story: European Union Slaps Sanctions on Hamas’ Chief Financier

The European Union has imposed sanctions against Abdelbasit Hamza, whose business activities in Spain, Egypt and Cypriot banks were uncovered in an international investigation conducted by Shomrim, CNN and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). This is the first time that the Europeans have taken such measures against an individual with links to Hamas. Washington is also looking into Hamza’s financial activities and offered a financial prize to anyone coming forward with information.

January 21, 2024

The Document That Dents Gal Hirsch’s Defense In Tax Evasion Case

Netanyahu’s point man for the Israelis missing and captive in Gaza, Gal Hirsch, is on trial for multi million-shekel tax evasion. His main defense is that he did not own the company that received money from a deal with the Georgian government. Documents uncovered by Shomrim show that while the owner of the company is not mentioned by name, Hirsch was given almost unlimited power of attorney to run it as he saw fit. His lawyers refused to respond, saying that the issue will soon be settled in court. This investigation is also published in Calcalist

October 26, 2023

Company Says it “Donated” New Building to Sderot Police. In Fact, they Will Receive Monthly Rent of 230,000 Shekels

The Mivne Group claimed on its Facebook page that it ‘donated’ an alternative building for the Israel Police in Sderot, after the station there was destroyed in fighting with Hamas. Last week, the police were granted emergency funding of 8.4 million shekels ($2.1 million) to rent the building for three years – which appears to be higher than the average rent in the area. The Finance Ministry insists that it’s a reasonable price. A Shomrim exposé

October 17, 2023

Shomrim Investigation Uncovers: U.S. Billionaire Danchik Channels Funds to Kohelet through American 'Medical Research' Institution

A 2021 revelation exposes a $12 million donation from U.S. billionaire Arthur Danchik's philanthropic foundation to an ostensibly 'research institution,' which subsequently routed funds to the Central Fund of Israel. This fund supports various charities and associations in Israel. The Kohelet Policy Forum, instrumental in driving the Netanyahu government's judicial overhaul, recorded a single donation that year—attributed to the Central Fund of Israel. Both Danchik and Kohelet have refrained from providing responses. A collaborative investigation by Shomrim and TheMarker.

August 22, 2023

Aliyah Ministry's Response to Decreased Western Immigration: Funding Hebron's Flag March

Facing a projected 60% decline in immigration from Western countries due to judicial changes, the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration proposes a solution: Providing 150,000 shekels ($40,000) to Shavei Hevron yeshiva for a parade involving French Jews.

August 13, 2023

Israel Police Seeks Increased Procurement of Riot-Control Equipment Amid Ongoing Demonstrations

Amidst the ongoing demonstrations against the government’s proposed judicial reforms, the Israel Police has initiated efforts to acquire a substantial quantity of riot-control weapons. The procurement requests include a significant increase in batons, tactical gloves, goggles, fencing, and sponge grenades. The motives behind the extensive acquisitions remain undisclosed by the police department.

August 7, 2023

Still Connected: Economy Minister Nir Barkat’s Business Empire Raises Conflict of Interest Concerns

Four years after he was first elected to the Knesset and more than six months into his tenure as economy minister, Nir Barkat hasn't divested from his business portfolio – which includes holdings in many different companies operating in Israel. He once claimed that his interests are in a blind trust controlled by his brother, but the rules do not permit ministers to use first-degree relatives as trust-holders. A former deputy attorney general says: ‘Barkat must sell or get a conditional permit to keep his holdings.’ Barkat refused to respond. After publication of this article, his office said: ‘Barkat does what is required of him by law.’ A Shomrim investigation, also published in Calcalist

July 16, 2023

Behind the Scenes of the Submarine Deal

The first ThyssenKrupp submarines that were delivered to Israel came with periscopes that did not meet the Navy’s operational demands and were upgraded at huge expense. The Defense Ministry decided that the upgrade would be carried out by the manufacturer of the substandard periscopes, which was paid from the military aid that Israel receives from the United States – and not from the ministry’s procurement budget. The Navy, it seems, did not like the idea and just before the manufacture of the next batch of submarines, it advised a competing company how to improve its offer to the Defense Ministry by adding an Israeli “strategic partner.” The IDF and the Defense Ministry declined to comment. A Shomrim investigation. Published also in “The Times of Israel”

May 27, 2023

Two Months After Government was Sworn In, Not One Minister Has Submitted a Conflict-of-Interest Agreement

Ministers are supposed to submit the preliminary conflict-of-interest questionnaire, on which their final agreement is based, within 30 days of taking office. Only 9 of the current 32 ministers have done so, and none have completed and published their final agreements. In comparison, two months after the previous government was sworn in, seven ministers had filed final agreements. A Shomrim investigation

February 23, 2023

Revealed: Kohelet’s Billionaire Funders Invested In a Company Partly Owned by Economy Minister Nir Barkat

Arthur Dantchik and Jeff Yass have been revealed to be the main American funders of the Kohelet Policy Forum, with which Barkat has a very cozy and close relationship. In 2021 one of their companies invested in eToro, in which Barkat has shares. Barkat in response: Your attempt to intimidate elected officials from cooperating with Kohelet will not succeed. A Shomrim/TheMarker investigation

February 15, 2023

Shadow Diplomats: Hezbollah’s Money-Smuggling Route Exposed

An international investigation by ICIJ, ProPublica, and 45 media outlets including Shomrim as the Israeli partner, exposes how the Lebanese terror organization used honorary consuls to fund its activity.

November 14, 2022

Exclusive: Israel’s Outgoing Government Approved a First-Ever Outreach Program to Progressive American Jews

After years of neglect by Israeli decision-makers, the outgoing government launched a first-ever initiative aimed at tackling the growing rift between the State of Israel and progressive Jews in the United States. Supporters of the project - revealed here for the first time - say that its importance lies in the fact that, for the first time, Israel will be officially cooperating with Conservative and Reform communities. Its detractors argue that it does not address key issues that are worrisome for its intended audience. Either way, the projects’ survival under the new government is at risk. A Shomrim exclusive

November 10, 2022

Jerusalem’s Garbage Dump: Petition Filed to Close Sewage Plant at Atarot

Six months ago, Shomrim revealed that the police’s Occupational Health Unit found that the severe air pollution at the Atarot industrial zone was endangering the health of officers serving nearby. Now, following a petition filed by the owner of an adjacent shopping mall seeking the closure of a sewage treatment plant, it turns out that a senior official from Jerusalem Municipality described the whole area as “a garbage dump” and that the Ministry of Environmental Protection has already sought to rescind the plant’s operating license – before changing its mind. The company’s response: We were there first. A Shomrim follow-up

November 3, 2022

Revealed: Barrels of Radioactive Waste Stored for Years in Central Israel

The Volcani Center, located in the central Israeli city of Rishon Letzion, accumulated a large quantity of radioactive waste over a period of up to 15 years – hazardous material that should, by law, have been disposed of at the Negev Nuclear Research Center. Some of the waste comes from the phosphorus-32 isotope, which can lead to severe health problems. After an inspection by the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Volcani Center was ordered to dispose of the waste at once – a process that took another four months. A Shomrim exposé

September 8, 2022

U.S. Confirms: 'Continued Dialog' With Israel Over NSO’s Inclusion on Blacklist

Israeli cybersecurity firm NSO was added to the blacklist after a series of investigations revealed that it's Pegasus spyware had been against journalists and human rights activists. Sources familiar with the case say that Israel has officially decided to intervene in the matter – partly because of concern that other companies offering offensive cyber tools could be blacklisted, harming the entire industry. The State Department recently confirmed for the first time to Shomrim that there has been contact with Israel on the issue. The Prime Minister’s Office refused to respond

July 19, 2022

Uber Lobbied Israeli, U.S. Ambassadors to Halt Criminal Probe Into the Company’s Israeli Operations

When a criminal investigation against Uber in Israel was launched, the company got nervous. “(I) don’t want our guys getting put in jail,” one senior Uber official wrote. He then detailed how the company should handle the situation: Hire someone to make phone calls at the highest level to persuade them to “calm the fuck down.” A former US Ambassador was hired. He contacted the US ambassador to Israel, Dan Shapiro, and the Israeli ambassador to the US, Ron Dermer. According to leaked emails, they were sympathetic to the company’s cause and expressed willingness to help. Dermer in response: Israeli officials listen to the arguments of American companies even if they have no intention of changing policy or using their influence. A Shomrim investigation

July 10, 2022

Uber’s Global Strategy: Ties With Macron, Deals with Putin’s Oligarchs, and an Anti-Investigation Kill Switch

Seven heads of state and 20 ministers in various governments across the world met with representatives of Uber during the period covered by the leak. This did not happen organically: the company hired a lengthy list of lobbyists – including former advisors to President Obama, ex-ambassadors, and people with close ties in government circles. When political contacts alone were not enough to prevent investigations from being launched, the company set up an emergency procedure for destroying documents that could be of interest to authorities

July 10, 2022

Netanyahu and The Uber Files: A Meeting in Davos, a Clash With Katz and Help From the PMO

A massive leak of documents has revealed the extent to which Uber used connections, pressure, and lobbyists as part of its efforts to penetrate the Israeli market. A Shomrim investigation shows how the company managed to get as far up as then-prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who, according to the leaks, promised to “break the resistance” of the transportation minister. According to the documents, Eli Groner, the director-general of the Prime Minister’s Office, told the company what messages would win over the Israeli public, when to go to the media and repeatedly reminded Uber that “it’s important that the prime minister looks good.” On a separate occasion, he asked that any future communication be sent to his private email address, not his government one. Netanyahu, Groner and Katz did not respond

July 10, 2022

The Same Bill, Drafted by Uber, Submitted to Knesset Three Times

The bill sought to regulate the company’s operations in Israel and was last submitted to the Israeli parliament for approval eight months ago. It was tabled by Knesset members from several different parties. A Shomrim investigation

July 10, 2022

Revealed: Health Officials Call for Evacuation of Border Police Base Over High Air Pollution

Air pollution near the Atarot base, north of Jerusalem, exceeds the Israeli limit – which is considered extremely lax – by 288 percent. Sometimes, it reaches 1,000 percent over the limit. The Israel Police’s Occupational Health and Safety Unit want the base evacuated, but, in the meantime, the police will make do with constant monitoring. The police response: “We’ve set up a committee.”

May 25, 2022

SuisseSecrets Massive Leak: Mickey Ganor's secret account

A massive leak from one of the world's biggest private banks has revealed that one of the key figures in the so-called submarine affair, Mickey Ganor, held an account that, at one time, had a balance of $687,000. It appears that this account was not part of the police investigation and is not mentioned in the indictment against him. Ganor's lawyers declined to respond. The account's existence was revealed as part of SuisseSecrets, an international project spearheaded by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project and German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung. Some 50 media outlets examined the documents leaked from the famously secretive bank. Shomrim's Uri Blau was the Israeli representative to the project.

February 20, 2022

Pandora papers: Hundreds of Israelis star in the biggest financial leak in history

Investigations by Shomrim, based on the Pandora Papers, uncover MK Nir Barkat’s holdings in the Virgin Islands and the questions surrounding the blind trust he signed; the massive debt that a company owned by Haim Ramon took on from old friend Martin Schlaff; and the Steinmetz family’s interest, while facing legal cases, in transferring 1 billion euros to the Cook Islands

October 3, 2021

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