Lahav 433 Chief Asst.-Ch. Meni Benjamin Identified as Officer Under Investigation for Breach of Trust

Assistant-Chief Meni Benjamin, head of Israel Police’s elite Lahav 433 National Crime Unit, is under investigation by the Justice Ministry’s Police Investigative Department (PID) for suspected breach of trust and abuse of power, Israeli media revealed Thursday.

Benjamin was detained Wednesday evening at the end of a senior officers’ seminar in Jerusalem and taken in for questioning a move that sent shockwaves through both the police and political spheres.

While the details of the suspicions remain under court-imposed confidentiality, sources say the allegations center on alleged professional misconduct during his tenure in one of Israel’s most sensitive law enforcement roles. Lahav 433 is widely referred to as Israel’s “FBI,” and leads major national investigations, including high-profile corruption cases.

The investigation’s exposure turned controversial after Likud MK Tally Gotliv publicly named Benjamin on Thursday, openly defying a judicial gag order designed to protect the integrity of the case.

The incident has already ignited political debate. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir who appointed Benjamin to the prestigious role stood by him, affirming his right to the presumption of innocence. “Everyone is entitled to due process,” Ben-Gvir said, calling for a thorough but fair investigation.

Benjamin has recently overseen sensitive probes, including the ongoing investigation into alleged corruption at the Histadrut labor federation. His removal from active duty, pending the outcome of the investigation, could have major implications for multiple ongoing cases.

The rare targeting of such a senior officer reflects broader tensions within Israeli law enforcement and governance. In recent years, public trust in national institutions has been repeatedly tested, with corruption allegations, political interference, and judicial scrutiny taking center stage.

As Israel continues to grapple with deep internal challenges from security threats to economic pressures ensuring the integrity of its justice system remains essential.

Yossi Baum | X | Nov 12, 2025

EXCLUSIVE: The Gordian Knot Connection Between the Arrested Deputy Commissioner and the Sde Teiman Affair

In the *first* arrest warrant of the Military Prosecution, the body listed as the requester is – no, not the police, but the Malmal – a secretive body of the Ministry of Defense that, among other things, deals with investigations of employees. That is; the key players wanted to keep the affair within the confines of the Ministry of Defense, under which the Military Prosecution operates – which has the ability to maneuver the processes conducted in the Ministry of Defense, something that would be less feasible if the case were to go outside – to the police.

However, with the explosion of the affair, the key players had no choice and were forced to transfer the case to the police. Parallel to the transfer of the case, Deputy Chief Prosecutor Liat Kilner, who was appointed as the Military Prosecutor – tried to blur in court the fact that the investigation began under a different body (see in the response to the post). Kilner, for those who remember, was personally involved in the moves to thwart Gal Hirsch, to thwart Deputy Commissioner Guy Nir, and more.

At the head of those who stood and demanded the transfer of the case from the Malmal to the police – which essentially ‘toppled’ the Military Prosecution and, in its wake, all the other involved parties – stood none other *than the investigated Deputy Commissioner*, according to sources involved in the matter.

As recalled, media publications (see in the response to the post [see below]) referred to the fact that the head of the Investigations and Intelligence Division appointed a Military Prosecutor within his office to handle the affair, and did not transfer it, as is customary, to Lahav 433. At the head of Lahav, as recalled, stood Deputy Commissioner Mani Benjamin. Now, apparently, the revenge has been served as it was meant to be.

Stay tuned for developments.