Police and Ministry of Justice Suspect Dudi Appel of Concealing Assets Worth Millions
Businessman Dudi Appel, currently in bankruptcy proceedings, is suspected of concealing assets worth tens of millions of shekels. The case also involves attorney Michael Kleiner and members of the Dayan family.
Businessman Dudi Appel is the primary suspect in a case involving the concealment of assets worth tens of millions of shekels. According to investigators, Appel hid assets while in bankruptcy proceedings with the assistance of Likud tribunal president and former Knesset member Michael Kleiner, as well as businessmen Itzik and Yaffa Dayan, members of a family that controls an international real estate and hotel empire.
Appel's ties with the Dayan family and senior Likud figures have spanned many years. In the past, Appel was considered close to former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and even employed his son, Gilad, during what became known as the "Greek Island affair." Later, after Appel entered bankruptcy, his company "Migdalei HaZohar," which held construction rights in Givat Shmuel and Lod, was sold to the Dayan brothers.
An 87 Million Debt
The investigation is being conducted by the Lahav 433 National Economic Crimes Unit in conjunction with the Ministry of Justice's Official Receiver. Appel, who owes 87 million shekels to creditors, is suspected of violating his duty to disclose and report his assets.
In October, the court rejected Appel's debt settlement proposal. The judge determined that "there is more hidden than revealed regarding the debtor's financial sources." The court noted that it expected the debtor, who claims to have no assets other than an old-age pension, to detail how he intends to repay his 87 million shekel debt.
Police stated that the suspects acted in a "sophisticated and systematic manner" to hide their rights from authorities. A significant amount of property has been seized for potential future confiscation.
Origins of the Investigation
The current case stems from a 2020 investigation into tax offenses, where Appel was suspected of mediating a deal without reporting it to the Tax Authority, pocketing millions in the process. During that investigation, new suspicions emerged regarding real estate and companies previously owned by Appel.
Efraim Demri, Appel's attorney, stated that this is an old case from 14 years ago and questioned why law enforcement is revisiting it. Attorneys Uri Korv and Sivan Russo, representing Yaffa and Itzik Dayan, emphasized that their clients are law-abiding businessmen and that the investigation has yielded no evidence of wrongdoing after several years.
Presumption of innocence: Dudi Appel, attorney Michael Kleiner, Yaffa and Itzik Dayan have not been charged or convicted in this affair and are entitled to the presumption of innocence.
