The court sentenced Michael Peretz, a resident of Mivtachim, to 26 months probation and a NIS 200,000 fine. "He did not shy away from working with a merchant who knew he was transferring equipment to Hamas."
Michael Peretz, a resident of Mivtachim in the Gaza Strip, was sentenced to seven years in prison this morning (Tuesday) for conducting trade with the terrorist organization Hamas.
In addition, the Be'er Sheva District Court was also sentenced to 26 months probation for three years and a fine of NIS 200,000.
Photo: Ministry of Defense spokeswoman
In a verdict filed against Peretz about six months ago, he was convicted of smuggling into Gaza "goods transported to Gaza were subject to coordination or permission, in order to monitor the transfer of goods to Gaza and prevent the introduction of equipment that could help Hamas in its war in Israel." "The goods were supplied to Hamas and even warned about it, and yet it did not shy away from continuing to trade with it, using indirect means, camouflage and deception."
In the court's ruling, Peretz was severely criticized due to the way he conducted himself.
He was convicted of committing numerous offenses of contact with a foreign agent, prohibition of action on terrorist property, conspiracy to commit a crime, receiving anything fraudulently under aggravated circumstances and offenses of money laundering and creditors' fraud.
Peretz, however, is acquitted of several counts in the serious indictment filed against him.
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It should be noted that as part of the management of the said business he performed, Peretz disguised the goods, received payment in cash, did not keep books legally, left transactions from the tax authorities, issued fictitious invoices, recorded false expenses in his books, deducted input tax illegally, violated debts and prohibitions. , Creditor fraud and money laundering.
In addition, while operating as part of the trade with terrorist elements and pocketing high profits, Peretz asked the court to declare him bankrupt and presented himself as insolvent by concealing assets he owned, as determined by the court.
Peretz's claims were rejected by the court, noting that "the things were given by him voluntarily and without pressure being exerted on him outside the framework of the law."
The court also rejected Peretz's claims for protection from justice.
In parallel with this indictment, a civil lawsuit was filed against Peretz.
In February, the Be'er Sheva District Court ruled that Peretz must pay the tax authorities the full amount of tax and fines imposed on him for evading transactions in the amount of NIS 8 million.