Born in Israel · Nationality Israeli — Culture / modelling / media / business

Bar Refaeli

Celebrities, influencers and social media

Documented profile covering 7 controversies, including “Conviction in tax case involving residency, undeclared income and benefits” and “Enduring controversy over military service exemption obtained after brief marriage”.

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Profile No. 0409 · Updated on 12 October 2026

7Documented controversies

12Sources

0Formal charge · all time

1Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

2015-2020

Conviction in tax case involving residency, undeclared income and benefits

Conviction

Following several years of tax litigation over her residency and disclosure of income and benefits, Bar Refaeli pleaded guilty under an agreement. In September 2020, she was sentenced to nine months of community service and a fine; substantial tax arrears were also settled.

State of the evidence: Established by a court
Attribution: Personally implicated

Sources · 3

[1]
Reuters / Investing.comIsraeli top model Bar Refaeli sentenced in tax evasion caseMediaHigh reliability
[2]
YnetnewsBar Refaeli sentenced in tax caseMediaHigh reliability
[3]
GlobesBar Refaeli begins nine months community service for tax evasionMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 20 August 2026

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2015

Controversy over no-fly zone requested for her wedding and allegations of preferential treatment

Civil / administrative proceedings

For Refaeli's wedding, restrictions on flights over the venue had been planned to protect the ceremony from aerial photographers. The affair prompted allegations of preferential treatment and intervention by the Transport Minister, followed by contradictory administrative decisions reported in the press.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Personally implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
Jewish Telegraphic AgencyIsraeli minister cancels no-fly zone for Bar Refaeli weddingMediaHigh reliability
[2]
The Washington PostNo-fly zone controversy surrounds Bar Refaeli weddingMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 20 August 2026

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2014

Carolina Lemke advertisement criticised as degrading and objectifying women

Allegations

A Carolina Lemke advertisement featuring Refaeli prompted complaints to the regulator and women's organisations, which considered it sexualised, degrading and objectifying. A shortened version was subsequently broadcast.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Personally implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
WallaComplaints over Bar Refaeli Carolina Lemke campaignMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 20 August 2026

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2014

Hoodies advertisement featuring Refaeli restricted to broadcast after 10 p.m. because of provocative content

Civil / administrative proceedings

An advertisement for the Hoodies brand featuring Refaeli and puppet Red Orbach was considered sufficiently provocative and sexualised for the Israeli Second Authority to require it to be broadcast only after 10 p.m.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Personally implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
WallaBar Refaeli Hoodies ad restricted to late-night broadcastMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 20 August 2026

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2003-2013

Enduring controversy over military service exemption obtained after brief marriage

No legal proceedings

Refaeli faced strong criticism in Israel for not completing compulsory military service after obtaining an exemption through a short-lived marriage. The controversy resurfaced as she became an international figure and during official Israeli campaigns, with the military arguing that her image sent the wrong message to young conscripts.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Personally implicated

Sources · 3

[1]
YnetnewsBar Refaeli: controversy over army service exemptionMediaHigh reliability
[2]
YnetnewsBar Refaeli criticized over draft avoidanceMediaHigh reliability
[3]
YnetnewsIsraeli army objects to Refaeli campaign roleMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 20 August 2026

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2006-2013

Lawsuit against Suny/Samsung over use of her image: contractual dispute ultimately decided in Refaeli's favour

Civil / administrative proceedings

Refaeli sued Suny, Samsung's Israeli importer, alleging that images filmed for a campaign had been used beyond what she had agreed to, infringing her privacy and contractual rights. After several years, the court awarded her damages and dismissed Suny's counterclaim.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Protagonist is the complainant

Sources · 1

[1]
GlobesBar Refaeli wins NIS 400,000 in Suny lawsuitMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 20 August 2026

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2011

Real-fur campaign: PETA backlash followed by Refaeli's claim that she thought the fur was fake

No legal proceedings

A photographic campaign showing Refaeli wearing real fur attracted criticism from PETA and other animal welfare advocates, although the model had previously avoided such campaigns.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Personally implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
Jewish Telegraphic AgencyBar Refaeli posed in fur, upsets PETAMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 20 August 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

No documented link with another published profile for now.

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

III. Has something changed?

A new court decision, a missing source, a mistake? Tell us what should be updated: every request is read by the editorial team.