Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., August 27, 2008 Av 26, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:35 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Kadima field operatives believed to have ties with organized crime By Amir Zohar Tags: Ashkelon, Shalom Domrani People in Ashkelon say that Eitan Kasantini, who heads the city's Kadima party young guard, carries a lot of weight with the city's politicians, thanks not only to his control of some 300 registered voters at the party branch, but also because of his ties to Ashkelon's reputed crime boss, Shalom Domrani. "I sent you a letter about the connection between the number one criminal in the south, Shalom Domrani, and the political operative [Kasantini], owner of the Fishenzon pub at the marina," a civic leader from Ashkelon wrote last December 11 to Public Security Minister Avi Dichter, today a candidate for the party's chairmanship. "I did that out of esteem for your work as Shin Bet chief and so that you will not fail. For some reason you ignored it, and seated with you at the dignitaries' table at Kadima headquarters last Saturday night was that same guy I warned about." Kasantini's lawyer said his client had no ties whatsoever to Domrani. Advertisement A senior southern district police officer did not mince words: "We have no doubt that the Fishenzon pub belongs to Domrani, but is registered in Kasantini's name. It's a totally legitimate pub, the only licensed one in the whole marina. But if criminals hook up with the right people at city hall and in politics, and get everything they want legally, then who are we police to take that on?" This past May, Kasantini was arrested for 24 hours on suspicion of receiving fictitious invoices totaling NIS 2 million, as part of the case against Yaniv Ben David from Yehud. Ben David, backed by Domrani's and Yitzhak Abergil's outfits, took control in recent years of companies that were installation franchisees of Yes and HOT, the TV satellite and cable companies, respectively. He used those firms to operate a thicket of shell companies that provided dozens of businesses with fictitious invoices for personnel services whose value totaled some NIS 100 million. Dichter associates said he had recently decided to sever relations with Kasantini. The latter's feelings were hurt, and within a week he had hosted ministers Shaul Mofaz and Ze'ev Boim at his Ananas pub, a new establishment he built without permits at Ashkelon's marina. Last Saturday Kasantini held a political rally at which he and his associates endorsed Mofaz for the party leadership. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Swing Jews Jewish Democrats go hi-tech to fight anti-Obama 'hate mail.' Where's Rose? Missing girl's mother allegedly told husband to 'get rid of her.'   1.   my my my...when one steps out... 09:31  |  eric 26/08/08   2.   organized crime 09:55  |  Ralph 26/08/08   3.   The people of the book? 10:27  |  Abu Jalad 26/08/08

Read & React Peace Now: West Bank settlement construction nearly doubled this year Responses: 185 Jewish Democrats go hi-tech to fight anti-Obama 'hate mail' Responses: 22 Obama: World must press Iran before Israel strikes Responses: 94 Israeli and American: Why Jews can have more than one home Responses: 48 VIDEO: Barak puts Tel Aviv apartment up for sale for NIS 40 million Responses: 36 More Headlines 23:31 Missing girl's mother allegedly told husband to 'get rid of her' 02:26 Before her disappearance, Rose Pizem suffered 4 years of horror 20:14 Abbas: We can't lose another 7 years searching for peace 01:23 Ever-changing stories of grandfather burdened police 23:17 Livni mocks Barak: I can make your dream of being Education Min. come true 17:04 Jewish Democrats go hi-tech to fight anti-Obama 'hate mail' 23:59 U.S. judge orders release of Cold War spies testimony 23:13 IDF Court sentences ex-Jenin mayor to 6 years in prison for Hamas ties 18:52 YouTube removes clip showing Rhodes youth urinating on Holocaust memorial 20:27 Carter shunted to sidelines at Democratic Convention 19:18 Three teenage boys held on suspicion of raping girl, 14, in Herzliya park 13:29 Israeli and American: Why Jews can have more than one home 01:51 Tel Aviv and Givatayim at war over local beauty spot 00:32 Police detain Israeli for entering Gaza in blockade-busting boat Previous Editions Select Day 26 aug 25 aug 24 aug 22 aug 21 aug 20 aug 19 aug 18 aug 17 aug 15 aug 14 aug 13 aug

Special Offers Advertisement Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. Jewish Singles Personal Ads Find the love of your life on JDate.com MBA in Israel in English APPLY NOW! Limited spaces available Israel's Premier Real Estate Website www. israel-property.com Hebrew Summer courses From $39.95 ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel

birthright Israel | Search engine marketing

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved