Beersheba District Court President Benny Sagi killed in ‘shocking’ crash on Route 6

President Herzog, Supreme Court chief, justice minister lament untimely death of judge who was ‘beloved by all,’ ‘extraordinary talented,’ and ‘a wonderful family man’

The president of the Beersheba District Court Judge Benny Sagi was killed on Sunday after a vehicle crashed into his motorcycle while he was traveling on Route 6.

According to police, a vehicle that was driving off-road came up onto the highway and hit Sagi’s motorbike.

Magen David Adom said medics and paramedics who arrived at the scene described the accident as “shocking.”

They said they found Sagi lying on the road with multiple injuries and no vital signs, and declared him dead at the scene.

Police have opened an investigation into the accident, which took place close to the Kfar Menachem kibbutz east of Ashdod, with police officers from the Kiryat Malachi station and road accident investigators examining the circumstances of the crash.

Sagi was appointed acting president of the Beersheba District Court in June 2024, and took up the position on a permanent basis in April 2025.

He was born in 1971, performed military service from 1989 to 1993, and after completing a law degree served in the State Attorney’s Central District Office from 2001 to 2007. Sagi’s first judicial appointment was to the Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court in 2007.

He became a lecturer in law at several colleges, before being appointed deputy president of the Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court in 2013, and then a judge in the Tel Aviv District Court in 2015.

President Isaac Herzog said he was “shocked and pained by the tragic death” of Sagi, whom he described as a much-loved figure.

“Judge Sagi was a brilliant and sharp jurist, a wonderful judge who combined great professional knowledge with extraordinary honesty,” said Herzog.

“I was constantly impressed from afar by the rare combination he showed: a judge of stature and authority, with a moving personal story, who was known first and foremost as a man of values, humble and kind, who always saw the person standing in front of him and strove for peace and reconciliation.

“The judicial system lost one of its finest sons and leaders today.”

Supreme Court President Isaac Amit said the whole of the judiciary was “shocked and dismayed” by Sagi’s death.

“He was a great man with a massive heart. We have lost a friend, a leader, a person who exuded charisma, a judge who was extraordinarily talented, a wonderful family man,” said Amit in a video message. “Benny, you are beloved to me like a son, you were beloved by everyone who knew you… We will not forget you, Benny.”

Justice Minister Yariv Levin said he was “shocked and deeply saddened” to learn of Sagi’s death, describing him as “a brilliant jurist, an exceptional judge, well-liked and respected by lawyers and litigants alike.”

Levin said Sagi transformed his court “from the very beginning of his term into a court that enjoyed broad public trust,” and that “his broad professional knowledge lent him stature as a professional and administrative authority, among his fellow judges, among lawyers, and among the general public who were familiar with his work.”

In a statement to the press, the Judicial Authority says it was “deeply shocked and greatly pained” by Sagi’s death.

“President Sagi was a talented and promising judge, a leader, well-liked and beloved by all who had the privilege of knowing him, who achieved professional achievements at a young age, and his death is a great loss to the judicial system in which he served as a judge for about 20 years,” the Judicial Authority said.

Sagi is survived by his wife, daughter and two sons.