The Israel Security Authority's decision to launch a criminal investigation is always by direct order of the ISA's chairman, Prof. Zohar Goshen. It isn't an easy decision because it's a point of no return: Goshen can launch an investigation but not close one. That latter is in the hands of the Economics and Taxation Department at the District Attorney's Office.
Even an investigation that does not lead to a conviction does enormous harm to the subjects' reputation. Goshen clearly knew that the decision to investigate suspicions of asset-price manipulation at Psagot would cause an uproar.
Goshen generally searches for civil or administrative alternatives, but in this case, we can assume he found none - meaning he clearly considers this a criminal matter. Goshen spoke with TheMarker to address these questions.
