Israeli organized crime

Police and Tax Authority uncover NIS 50 million laundering scheme in Kafr Kara factory

A joint investigation by Israeli police and the Tax Authority led to the seizure of millions in cash and assets at a Kafr Kara concrete factory linked to a major money laundering ring.

Israeli police investigators from the Lahav 433 unit search a concrete block factory in Kafr Qara suspected of money laundering and tax offenses.
Thousands attend a protest against the violence in the Arab community, in Tel Aviv. January 31, 2026.

National Headquarters for Combating Crime in Arab Society launches to tackle rising violence

Thousands of people attend a protest against violence in the Arab community in Tel Aviv, January 31, 2026

The government must address the epidemic of crime in Arab Israeli society - editorial

MANY ILLEGAL weapons in the Arab community are stolen from Israeli army bases, while others are smuggled from the borders with Jordan and Egypt. Here, illegal weapons are displayed after a police operation against illegal gun dealers, in Nazareth in 2021.

'Hijacked by criminal gangs': How gangs, weapons took over Israel's Arab streets


It's time Israel recognizes Arab sector homicides as a national crisis - opinion

The murder rate in the Arab sector is not just a tragedy for Arab citizens. It is an indictment of the state.

Israeli security forces are seen at the scene where three men were shot dead by assassins in the city of Shefa-Amr, northern Israel, January 7, 2026.

Lahav 433, Tax Authority arrest seven for suspected extortion, money laundering, tax fraud

Seven members of the Bakri crime organization were arrested following an investigation carried out by multiple law enforcement agencies, including Lahav 433 and the Tax Authority.

Israeli police arrested senior Bakri crime group members and municipal officials in Nazareth overnight in the “Maze of Money” case targeting extortion and money laundering on December 9th, 2025.

Prosecutors file intent to indict Abu Latif crime boss, others in ‘Prince’ extortion affair

Police say the probe uncovered a network of extortion and financial offenses involving millions of shekels, carried out over a period of roughly five years.

Nidal Abu Latif, who was arrested in a major police operation earlier today, is brought for a court hearing at the Nazareth Magistrate's Court on February 8, 2023.

Israel's Lahav 433 commander suspected of leaking information to suspects, police reveal

Assistant-Chief Meni Benjamin allegedly maintained personal contact with Salam without reporting the relationship to the proper authorities and is also suspected of sharing police information

Assistant-Chief Meni Benjamin, head of Lahav 433 - The National Crime Unit, pictured on April 20, 2025.

Detention of crime lord Jarushi extended after surrendering to authorities

Jarushi is considered the lead suspect in the intense blackmailing of a money exchange business in southern Tel Aviv, police said at the hearing.

 The cage bars of a prison cell (Illustrative).

Prison commissioner receives death threats after cracking down on criminal, terror orgs in prison

"From the point of view of the commissioner, all prisoners are equal. There is no discrimination," a senior officer told N12.

 Israel Prison Service chief Kobi Yaakobi attends a National Security committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament on November 20, 2024.

Israeli lawmakers call on A-G to step down in rare Knesset session

The meeting came amid unprecedented tension between the attorney-general and the government over a series of measures that the AG has deemed "not legally viable."

Attorney-General Gali Baharav Miara attends a Constitution, Law and Justice Committee in Jerusalem, on November 18, 2024

'Gov. abandons us to crime orgs.': Anger in Arab community following Ramle blast

The Abraham Initiatives organization, jointly run by Jews and Arabs, which aims to promote integration and equality, blamed the government for the violent incident. 

 Arab Israelis stage a mock funeral in Tel Aviv on August 6 to demonstrate against what they say is the government’s failure to address soaring levels of organized crime.

Israeli police target crime families, drug and weapons networks with new directive

During a recent raid, detectives seized 1.5 kg of explosives from a crime family's compound in Ramle as part of the “Emergency Brakes” initiative under the new commissioner.

 Newly appointed Police Commissioner Daniel Levi at the Israel Police Independence Day ceremony at the National Headquarters of the Israel Police in Jerusalem May 9, 2024.

What causes violence, murders among Israeli Arabs, and what can cure it?

By September 1, some 165 Israeli Arabs had been murdered since the start of the year. The violence is clearly out of control. But why? And what can and should be done?

 Arab Israelis stage a mock funeral in Tel Aviv on August 6 to demonstrate against what they say is the government’s failure to address soaring levels of organized crime.