Mordechai “Moti” Maman submitted a petition the Haifa District Court through his son and attorney Ben on Tuesday, arguing against the Bustan Hagalil moshav committee's prevention of his attempts to register as a moshav resident.
Maman is, currently serving a ten-year prison sentence for spying for Iran, causing his request to have been denied by the local council and the moshav committee.
In the petition, Maman argued that his inquiries to the moshav committee and the Mateh Asher Regional Council “were met with non-answers.” He claimed that their decision to reject him “violates his and his family’s basic rights, constitutes a severe deviation from the bounds of reasonableness, and is tainted by bad faith, discrimination, and lack of transparency.”
Maman stated that the actions of the committee and council have caused deep distress and hardship to his family, which has lived in the area since 1991 and has significantly contributed to the moshav, "considering themselves part of the community."
Maman's history
Maman, 73, a father of four and grandfather, did previously live in Bustan Hagalil. He was known for managing a baguette stand in nearby Nahariya, taking over from the former owner, criminal figure Shmulik Harush. After his divorce, Maman remarried and requested in 2024 to change his registered address to Ashkelon.
Following his arrest, he expressed regret over that decision, claiming that others already occupied the apartment in Ashkelon, and that he now wishes to return his address to the moshav, where his family resides.
However, the sentiment toward him in the patriotic moshav in western Galilee remains negative. Following his arrest, residents voiced their disgust over his actions.
“We are a community of hardworking farmers and patriots, with the state’s security always before our eyes,” said one moshav member to Walla at that time.
During his interactions with Iranian agents, Maman entered Iran and met with Iranian intelligence officials who asked him to assassinate senior Israeli figures, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, then-Shin Bet head Ronen Bar, and then-defense minister Yoav Gallant, as retaliation for the killing of Ismail Haniyeh.
Although Maman refused, citing the high level of security surrounding these individuals, he still negotiated over an advance payment, initially demanding one million dollars. The Iranians then suggested that he assassinate former prime minister Naftali Bennett or, alternatively, the mayors of Nahariya or Acre.
Maman has appealed his sentence to the Supreme Court. The appeal is expected to be heard in May 2026.
The Bustan Hagalil committee and the Mateh Asher Regional Council have yet to respond to the petition.