(Januar 6, 2026)

Judge Benny Sagi, president of Israel‘s Beersheba District Court, was killed Sunday when a vehicle struck his motorcycle on Route 6.

Police say a vehicle driving off-road entered the highway and collided with Sagi‘s bike near Kfar Menachem kibbutz.

Paramedics found him with no pulse, multiple injuries.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sagi was handling aspects of Case 3000, the „Submarines Affair“ involving corruption in Israeli naval deals.

Netanyahu has been questioned in this case but not charged.

Sagi was NOT presiding over Netanyahu‘s main corruption trial (Cases 1000, 2000, 4000).

That case is being heard by a three-judge panel in Jerusalem District Court.

Netanyahu‘s testimony in his primary trial was shortened Monday to allow attendance at Sagi‘s funeral.

Israeli authorities and major news organizations have categorized this as a traffic accident.

An investigation has been launched.

Some regional outlets and social media have called the death „suspicious“ given Sagi‘s role in sensitive cases, but no evidence of foul play has been reported.