Sudden Death of Judge in Netanyahu Corruption Case!
Judge Beni Shagai, head of the Beersheba District Court, died in a road accident in southern Israel. He was 54 years old and had held the position for only about a year. According to police, a car entering the highway from a side road collided with his motorcycle. The driver was found responsible due to reckless driving and drug use.
Shagai had joined the judiciary in 2007 and was appointed head of the Beersheba District Court in April 2025. Israel’s judiciary described him in a statement as “an outstanding judge, a capable manager, and a beloved figure,” calling his death “a great loss” for the judicial system.
Judge Beni Shagai was more than just a court administrator. He was a key figure in handling complex corruption cases and played a significant role in the so-called Case 3000, which involved the purchase of submarines and warships from Germany and links to associates of Benjamin Netanyahu. His position meant that his decisions had a direct impact on Israel’s political and judicial landscape.
His death occurred just as the main hearings in related cases had concluded and final verdicts were approaching. This timing has raised questions and doubts among the public. Under judicial procedure, the death of a presiding judge causes a delay of several months, allowing a new judge to review thousands of pages of documents and evidence. Such delays can effectively benefit defendants in major cases and ease public pressure.
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