Police complete HaDerech probe involving Shas MK Haim Biton

Israeli police have completed an investigation involving Shas MK Haim Biton and several other individuals concerning suspicions of public education funds being improperly diverted. The investigation focused on whether Education Ministry budgets allocated to the Ma'ayan HaHinuch HaTorani education network were used without authorization to produce a children's supplement for the privately owned, Shas-affiliated newspaper HaDerech.

The probe also included the network's procurement director, Moshe Avitan, and other officials from HaDerech. The suspected offenses under examination include fraud, breach of trust, obtaining something by fraud, theft or fraudulent misappropriation, false entries in corporate documents, and violations of anti-money laundering laws.

Biton previously served as the director-general of the Ma'ayan HaHinuch HaTorani network. The investigation, which began covertly in March 2025, has now been transferred to the State Attorney's Office's taxation and economics department for further review and a decision on potential proceedings.

The findings will determine whether the funds designated for the network's approved educational activities were unlawfully used for the newspaper supplement. The case highlights potential financial irregularities within the Shas-affiliated educational and media organizations.