Benny Sagi, president of Israel’s Beersheba District Court and a key figure in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption case, has died after a vehicle traveling off-road unexpectedly entered a major highway and collided with his motorcycle.
The crash occurred on Route 6 in southern Israel, near Kibbutz Kfar Menachem, east of Ashdod. Emergency responders pronounced Sagi dead at the scene, describing the incident as “shocking.”
Initial police reports indicate that a car, driving off-road, suddenly mounted the highway and struck Sagi’s motorcycle. The unusual circumstances have prompted a full investigation by traffic accident experts from the Kiryat Malachi police station, who are examining whether negligence, mechanical failure, or other factors were involved. The collision also led to temporary road closures while authorities processed the scene.
Judge Sagi, appointed acting president of the Beersheba District Court in June 2024 before becoming permanent president in April 2025, was widely respected in Israel’s legal community for his expertise and leadership. His death has sent shockwaves through the nation’s judicial and political circles.
President Isaac Herzog said he was “shocked and pained” by the loss, calling Sagi a brilliant jurist known for integrity and professionalism. Supreme Court President Isaac Amit described the judiciary as “dismayed” and remembered Sagi as a man with a huge heart, deeply respected by his colleagues. Justice Minister Yariv Levin also paid tribute, calling him “an exceptional and widely admired judge.”
In a statement, the Judicial Authority expressed deep sorrow, describing Sagi as a talented leader well-regarded by lawyers, court staff, and litigants alike.
Judge Sagi is survived by his wife, a daughter, and two sons. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances of the crash.
