From his work as a doctor, through the government to espionage in favor of Iran: Gonen Segev writes a book from prison

Dr. Gonen Segev jumped from Moshav Tel Adashim to serve as a Member of Knesset and Minister of Energy, but the height of the crash was also the intensity of the crash. At the age of 66, To donate for the sociaty

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18/03/2022

Friday, March 18, 2022, 9:15 p.m.

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"Two and a half years ago I repented and today I very carefully observe the commandments of Judaism," wrote prisoner Gonen Segev.

"I feel like I have found my place spiritually after a 'trip' around the world and in every possible position in the years of human life."

That "trip" burst into the consciousness of the Israeli public exactly thirty years ago.

In April 1992, Dr. Gonen Segev, an anonymous doctor from Moshav Tel Adashim, managed to land in second place on the "Junction" list. The first in the Air Force and the former chief of staff's partner in establishing a "junction".

Sidon angrily withdrew from the party, while Segev began on the political mirror track.

The Tzomet party surprised in the 1992 election and won eight seats.

Two years later, Segev was appointed Minister of Energy.

After retiring from political life he turned to business.

But as the height of the ascent was also the intensity of the crash;

Segev became involved in a drug smuggling case in Israel and was sentenced to prison.

Four years ago he was arrested again, this time on a charge of spying for Iran.

Today, just a twenty-minute drive from the same field near Raful, Segev is serving a sentence of 11 years in prison at Gilboa Prison.

A 66-year-old security prisoner in the Division of Criminal Prisoners.

More on Walla!

After being convicted of espionage: The court sentenced Gonen Segev to 11 years in prison

To the full article

"His condition is shocking."

Gonen Segev (Photo: Roni Kanfo)

"His condition is shocking," said his lawyer, Chen Meiri.

She intends to deny many rights she claims he deserves.

Since his sentence three years ago, Segev has filed a hundred petitions in an attempt to improve his conditions in prison.

The last petition he filed was discussed this week and denied.

Segev, through Adv. Meiri, petitioned the Nazareth District Court against the administrative decision to prevent him from talking to his lawyers by phone. In

his

decision to dismiss the petition, Judge Yosef Ben Hamo ruled that the recent ruling of the Supreme Court did not apply to security prisoners and was limited to criminal prisoners only. Dean through a frontal meeting, thus addressing the "right to consultation"

During a one-sided hearing, the judge heard GSS representatives, who presented him with an opinion on the risk to state security that may be caused as a result of the connection between security prisoners and their lawyers, as well as an opinion that relates specifically to Segev. The state on Segev's part is still muscular and existing and he is being studied, among other things, in light of his past conduct.

"What is the risk in Gonen Segev's phone call with me?"

Adv. Chen Meiri (Photo: Official Website, Galia Peled)

According to GSS representatives, not all of Segev's actions against national security and its ties with Iran were reflected in the amended indictment. The fear of endangering national security is beyond that. His position as Minister of Energy and a member of the Political Security Cabinet and various committees, since 2013 has served as an intelligence source for Iran and acted on their missions.

According to the GSS 'position, as presented to the court, allowing prisoners to hold telephone conversations with a lawyer, in a situation where the identity of the speakers cannot be verified and the conversation cannot be monitored, creates a significant security loophole that could serve as a platform to promote serious offenses. In addition, there is a risk that these conversations will be used to talk to those who are not the prisoners' lawyers. For prisoners by virtue of their occupation and in an attempt to circumvent the communication restrictions imposed on security prisoners.

"What is the risk in Gonen Segev's phone call with me?" Meiri angrily asked, intending to appeal to the Supreme Court.

She claims it is revenge.

"He has become a red sheet. It is clear that he does not pose any security danger. He does not belong to any organization like security prisoners in prisons. "What information can he pass on to me? What information is there about him? There is nothing. Criminal prisoners who run their people out of jail and carry out assassinations are allowed to call and defend Segev."

At the moment his connection with her is in notes he writes and conveys through wardens.

Members of the Tzomet party (Photo: Government Press Office, Ziv Koren)

The last petition initially also included a demand to make him an open opinion of the GSS and to order the IPS to transfer it to the Torah wing of the prison.

He finally removed both of these requirements.

Segev became a observant prisoner - he keeps Shabbat and kosher, began to wear a kippah, pray and study holy books, the prison rabbi meets with him from time to time.

According to Meiri, despite the limitations placed on him, "he is not mentally broken. He is a strong person."

He recently started writing his resume and intends to publish it as a book one day.

In the summary of his story, which he has already begun to write, he describes a happy childhood in the small Kiryat Motzkin of yesteryear, through medical studies, from first working as a doctor in Beit She'an to significant volunteer activity in the valley alongside his work as a doctor.

The book tells how he organized the big Sociada event in Afula and founded, with the mother of a girl suffering from cerebral palsy, an association for therapeutic riding.

He describes joining the Tzomet party alongside Eretz Israel "legends", his achievements as Minister of Energy and Infrastructure and his retirement from political life.

"I decided to retire after one term," he writes.

"The Rabin assassination had a great impact, and the connection between us was special."

At the age of 40 he was already after a political career and entered the business world.

"By and large I did not find myself, and at 42 I felt like I had a past and the future was unclear."

"The connection between us was special."

Segev and Rabin (Photo: Government Press Office, Yaakov Saar)

In 2004 came the first fall;

Segev was arrested and convicted of attempting to smuggle ecstasy into Israel.

"I was sentenced to five years, released after two-thirds and my life ended, that's how I feel," he writes from prison.

He describes his experiences in Nigeria - the establishment of a clinic and flying ambulance services and many life-saving cases, including that of the person in charge of security at the Israeli embassy.

But then came the second fall - the Iranian ambassador to Nigeria asks him to come and give him medical advice.

He would later tell the Iranian deputy ambassador, "half jokingly," that he "would be happy to visit Tehran."

"To my surprise he calls me and says to me after days: Bring the passport," he describes.

"I told him I had a German diplomatic passport because I was married to a German embassy worker in Nigeria. I get a visa and a plane ticket and they tell me they will be waiting for me there at the terminal in Tehran. I arrive for a three-day tour. All continued ties with Iran are mentioned "

Segev goes on to describe the chain of events with the Iranians: "I get a phone call that they are inviting me to the island of Kish, the sheikh's pastime at the time. It is clear to me here that they are interested in me, I was not sure not to kidnap. His whereabouts are unknown. I arrive, have a polygraph test whose main question is do I work with any country's intelligence services. I answer no and it's clear to me where I go with them. As a doctor who I asked about four times from Minister Litzman, once by an attorney, once by one of his assistants and once through Macher.

Twice I did not receive an answer at all and twice I received a humiliating answer - 'evacuate for another ten years'.

It is clear to me that I am in contact with senior Iranian intelligence officials and that I am walking a very thin line. "

"At 42, I had a past, but the future was not clear."

Segev swears allegiance to the Knesset (Photo: Government Press Office, Avi Ohayon)

Segev describes his appeal to Jacques Neria, who was connected to the Israeli intelligence community, and his answer and request that he update when he has important information.

So, he was told, "We will tie you up with the head of the Iranian desk at the institution."

Relations with the Iranians continue.

He said that in his interrogations after his arrest, GSS men told him that they were "surprised" how they did not eliminate you.

"You really have copper eggs," they told him

. No relevant information and indeed the GSS said that no intelligence damage was done to the state. "

He writes again about the "extreme frustration" of not having his work permit restored as a doctor and of his dream of "bringing gold knowledge" and "returning as a hero."

But it ended differently;

"I was fraudulently brought to Equatorial Guinea, as if advising on the establishment of a clinic similar to mine. I turned in an entrance and then eight GSS men forced me

. When he turns 73, Segev will be released from prison. Until then, he writes, "I wish I had a chance in any constellation to care for children with disabilities or the elderly or any contribution to society."

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