Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., February 05, 2008 Shvat 29, 5768 | | Israel Time: 01:48 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Me, fugitive? Not so, says Boaz Yona By Nurit Roth Tags: israel, boaz yona, property  And here you were thinking nasty things. In his appeal to the Supreme Court against the warrant seizing his assets, Boaz Yona argues that the asset seizure was based on unfounded assumptions, such as that he had fled Israel after the collapse of his Heftsiba construction company. The injunction granted to banks Leumi and Mizrahi by the Jerusalem Distict Court relied on "the inflammatory mood of the public against the appealer and his family, and on media reports", Yona says in his Supreme Court appeal, lodged by attorneys Ron Samoraey and Zohar Kahlon. Yona claims that in the December district court hearing, he was not given opportunity to respond. "Like a blind person groping in the dark, the appealer was unable to provide a learned response to the motions submitted against him," Yona's motion claimed. Advertisement Among other things, argues Yona, the injunction was based on the assumption that he had fled Israel when Heftsiba and its group companies collapsed. But Yona insists that he hadn't fled at all. The only evidence supporting the thesis of his escape from the approaching arm of the law was "inflammatory media reports", Yona argued. His position is that the court ruling, declaring him bankrupt, was therefore legally erroneous. Heftsiba's founder and former leader also argues that the court accepted as fact the banks' claims regarding his debts to them, and granted the injunctions to seize his assets without investigating the existence of the debt, over which Yona says there is a factual dispute. "It seems that the ill winds blowing from the public and the media managed to enter the courtroom and unfortunately, to have a real impact on the court's decisions and discretion," he argues. In short, Yona hopes the Supreme Court will overturn the injunction and rule that the banks have to sue the regular way, during which the extent of his debt will be elucidated. Heftsiba unexpectedly collapsed overnight in August 2007. Whether or not he "fled" the country, Yona did leave Israel after his construction company crumbled, leaving hundreds of families who had already paid for homes empty-handed. The facts are that an international warrant for Yona's arrest was issued and he was located in Italy. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Prayer change Pope Benedict XVI nixes a reference to Jews` `blindness` over Jesus in a Catholic prayer. Blind and deaf in Jaffa 'The world's first professional deaf-blind theatre company' takes center stage in Jaffa.

Today Online IAF strike on Hamas police headquarters in Gaza kills seven Responses: 184 Burston: Barack Obama for Prime Minister of Israel Responses: 127 The Israel Factor: Is Obama really pro-Palestinian? Responses: 63 Foreign Min. backs Cairo request to double border forces Responses: 65 Harel & Issacharoff: The 300km problem along Egyptian border Responses: 53 U.K. to fund school trips of understanding to Auschwitz Responses: 77 More Headlines 01:22 Several hurt by Qassams in Sderot; IDF kills 9 in Gaza 01:33 Egypt warns Hamas against provocations on Gaza border 22:15 In about turn, U.S. says Iran may be able to make nukes by 2009 20:44 Pope nixes reference to Jews` `blindness` over Jesus in prayer 16:14 Haredi sect brands Chief Rabbi Metzger 'Zionist stooge,' wicked 21:43 Dimona bombing victim's son: Mom was to celebrate her 50th wedding anniversary 00:03 Jordan urges U.S. to pressure Israel to stop Gaza strikes 23:46 Former IDF chief Dan Shomron hospitalized for apparent stroke 22:29 Obama predicts split decision in Democrat race on Super Tuesday 22:19 Father, son suspected of killing man they accused of stealing dog 16:53 Two teens admit vandalizing Jewish cemetery in southern Hungary 00:45 German children's book draws fire for alleged anti-religion bent Previous Editions Select Day 05 feb 04 feb 03 feb 01 feb 31 jan 30 jan 29 jan 28 jan 27 jan 25 jan 24 jan 23 jan

Special Offers Advertisement Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off! FAREWELL ISRAEL New Film The Coming War for Islamic Revival - View Movie Trailer Inbal Jerusalem Hotel Unbeatable rates at the Finest hotel in Jerusalem Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations SUPER-TUESDAY U.S. PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY U.S. citizen resident in Israel vote Democrats-Abroad Global Primary in-person 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 |

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved