A former senior health ministry official was accused of forging entry permits for Palestinians to illegally enter Israel by means of fraud and bribery, a Tax Authority and Health Ministry investigation revealed Thursday morning.
The official, a Jerusalem resident in his 40s, was also accused of trafficking dangerous medications.
The suspect has been placed under house arrest, and police said they plan to ask the court for his restrictive conditions to remain in place as they continue to investigate.
While in a managerial position, the man allegedly committed a series of offenses that threatened public safety and health.
The suspect was previously employed in the Civil Administration in the West Bank.
In this role, he allegedly forged more than 100 entry permits to Israel for Palestinians staying illegally by presenting them as patients in need of medical treatment.
Dozens of Palestinians were allowed to enter Israel without oversight as a result, which police noted posed a real danger to human life.
Police claimed that after finishing his position in the Civil Administration, it emerged that the suspect had continued selling medications without a prescription, including dangerous medications.
He had allegedly forged prescription approvals and doctors’ signatures.
House arrest for former health min. official
During his arrest on Sunday, police and investigators seized a large and varied quantity of medications suspected of being trafficked.