Israel's Chief Rabbi released to 5 days house arrest

Police from the Israeli National Fraud Squad raided the home and offices of Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Yonah Metzger, and questioned him under caution for hours, as part of a bribery, fraud, money-laundering and breach-of-trust case. Metzger was released to five days house arrest on Thursday night following some ten hours of questioning, The Jerusalem Post reported. Metzger is forbidden to enter his offices, leave the country or make contact with any of the other suspects in the case. Metzger and three other men are suspected of being involved in the pilfering of hundreds of thousands of shekels from a number of charities. Following an undercover investigation, officers went public on Thursday, arresting the three suspects and seizing documents, computers and other materials from Metzger’s home and office they believe may be linked to the allegations. The suspects include Haim Nissan Eisenshtat, who worked for years as Metzger’s driver and personal assistant. Eisenshtat is accused of taking bribes, fraud, breach of trust and money laundering. The Rishon Lezion Magistrate’s Court extended his remand for eight days. The court also extended the remand of Simcha Karkovsky – manager of the Beit Hatavshil charity in Bnei Brak – for six days, and that of Nissan Ben-Zion Zioni – manager of a beit midrash study hall and rabbinical school in Tel Aviv and the Atzum – Justice Works charity – for seven days. Both men stand accused of money laundering and bribery. In 2005, a bribery, fraud, and breach of trust case was opened against Metzger, but then-attorney-general Menahem Mazuz decided to close the case in April 2006. At the time, Mazuz said he was disturbed by revelations about how Metzger behaved during the investigation and called for the rabbi to resign.