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Today, with the release from prison of crime boss Naser Hariri and his departure towards his home, accompanied by a convoy of licensed armed security guards, Lahav 433’s National Bureau of Investigation detectives, along with Border Police fighters and Prison Service forces, operated and stopped the convoy on Highway 65. 

During a search, three security guards were found holding licensed weapons, who acted in violation of the license terms, according to which they are prohibited from engaging in personal security, especially when it comes to a crime organization. The weapons were confiscated and the security guards will be brought for investigation at the National Bureau of Investigation offices. 

The Inspector General, Commissioner Danny Levy, praised the operation and the cooperation between the forces: “We have declared all-out war on crime organizations and their leaders, and this is how we operate – with determination and assertiveness. Let the crime organizations know that we will not rest and will not allow them to do as they please. We are a state of law – and the Israel Police enforces the law everywhere and at all times.”

Jerusalem, 15 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz signed a proclamation today (Thursday) defining Iranian State Bank Melli as a terrorist organization. He did so at the request of security agencies and on the recommendation of the Headquarters for Combating Economic Terrorism at the Ministry of Defense, and in accordance with its authority under Section 11 of the Counter-Terrorism Law.

Bank Mali is a key factor in the Iranian regime’s transfer of funds to terrorist organizations, and serves as the regime’s central financial arm in financing terrorist activity throughout the Middle East and beyond, said Katz’s office.

This is a government bank in the service of the regime that operates one of the regime’s most extensive cover networks, for the purpose of circumventing international sanctions and laundering money. Among other things, the bank provides extensive financial services to Iran’s security forces, including providing bank accounts and transferring funds to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and the Quds Force, which are directly involved in financing, directing, and operating terrorist organizations.

“Declaring Bank Mali a terrorist organization will help thwart one of the main funding routes for Iran’s terrorist proxies,” said Katz’s office noting that it was declared a terrorist organization by the United States in 2018.

Israel’s Defense Ministry added that this move, alongside the previous similar decisions regarding the Central Bank of Iran (CBI), Bank Mellat, and Bank Shahr, constitutes “another layer in the ongoing effort by the security establishment to damage the economic infrastructure of Iranian terrorism and prevent the financing of the activities of terrorist organizations operating against the State of Israel and its citizens.”

The Indictment, filed by Adv. Reut Navon Markov from the Central District Attorney’s Office, states that the defendants conspired. Within the framework of the conspiracy, David presented himself to the complainant as a girl named “Zoe,” and the two corresponded for several months via Telegram. During the correspondence, the complainant provided “Zoe” with personal information about himself, and as a result of the false representation, transferred to the defendants on 25 occasions, via Paybox, a cumulative sum of approximately ₪8,300.

He also shared that he had ₪26,000 in cash to cover a loan. On the same day, the defendants arranged to meet the complainant at his home, under the pretense that “Zoe” was moving in with him, and the complainant provided them with his address and entry code to his home.

On 22.12.25, in the late evening hours, the defendants equipped themselves with a gun-like object, masks, and two gift boxes, and informed the complainant that “Zoe” could not come but was sending a courier. When he left his home, David pointed the gun-like object at him and ordered him to hand over the money. Afterward, the two fled the scene in a vehicle.

The next day, the defendants, while impersonating “Zoe,” sent threatening messages demanding the transfer of an additional ₪4,000, threatening to publish his personal details and a false video attributing to him sexual relations with a minor.

The indictment attributes to the defendants offenses of conspiracy to commit a crime, joint robbery, obtaining property by deception under aggravated circumstances, and joint Extortion by threats.

The prosecution requests that David be arrested until the end of legal proceedings against him and Yosef – under electronic house arrest.

The Election Committee for the Chief Rabbinate of Ramla, headed by retired Judge Sara Frisch, announced this evening (Sunday) after counting the votes the election of Rabbi Yitzhak Rafael Abuchatzira as the city’s Rabbi. This appointment is part of the Ministry of religious services‘ policy to lead permanent appointments of city rabbis in Israel, recognizing the importance of stable and permanent Torah leadership. This is a significant step for the residents of Ramla following the retirement of the outgoing Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Y. Abuchatzira.

The election committee was headed by **retired Judge Sara Frisch. The other committee members were: Rabbi Israel Meir Biton, Rabbi of Hadera, Mr. Ron Hassid, Mr. Oren Rosenberg, Ms. Michal Shemesh, the committee’s legal advisor Adv. Shiry Fogel. The committee secretary Mr. Tzuriel Porat.**

As mentioned, the elected Rabbi is the son of Rabbi Y. Abuchatzira, may he live and be well, the outgoing Chief Rabbi, and the nephew of the Chief Rabbi of Ramla, Rabbi Avraham Abuchatzira, and the grandson of the “Baba Haki,” Rabbi Yitzhak Abuchatzira, of blessed memory, who served as the city’s Rabbi. The elected Rabbi is the fourth generation in the city’s rabbinate, which was established and shaped the spiritual world of Ramla.

**Rabbi Yitzhak Abuchatzira** is a resident of Ramla and serves there as head of a Kollel and a prominent figure in the community, bridging the glorious past with the modern reality of 2026 in the complex and multicultural city of Ramla.

Shortly after the announcement of his election, the Chief Rabbis of Israel, the Rishon LeZion and President of the Great Rabbinical Court, Rabbi David Yosef, and the Chief Rabbi and President of the Chief Rabbinate Council, Rabbi Kalman Bar, congratulated the elected Rabbi. And Maran the Rishon LeZion, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, who expressed support for Rabbi Yitzhak Abuchatzira and even issued a special letter in his honor.

**Chairman of the Religious Council, Moshe Shitrit**: “This is a historic and foundational day for religious services in Ramla. The election of Rabbi Yitzhak Abuchatzira is truly good news for every resident of the city. The Religious Council will stand by the side of the elected Chief Rabbi to ensure accessible, illuminating, and connecting religious services, out of respect for the glorious tradition of the Abuchatzira family in Ramla and looking towards a future of unity and spiritual growth.”

**Mayor, Mr. Michael Vedel**: “I congratulate Rabbi Yitzhak Abuchatzira on his election. This is an opportunity to honor his father, Rabbi Yehiel, for decades of dedication

As part of the Israel Police‘s fight against criminal elements, terror infrastructure, and instigators of disturbances, the “Capital Shield” program was launched tonight, with the participation of hundreds of Border Police fighters from the Jerusalem Envelope, Jerusalem Border Police undercover operatives, and Jerusalem District Police officers. 

This is a large-scale operational program that was formulated upon the entry into office of the Commander of the Jerusalem District, Superintendent Shlomo Fuld, as a strategic response to the need to strengthen sovereignty and deepen governance in the Jerusalem Envelope area and the villages adjacent to the border. The operation focuses on offensive and proactive activity in the heart of the territory, combining precise intelligence with advanced operational capabilities, with the aim of increasing the personal security of all residents of Jerusalem in particular, and Israel in general.

The District Commander, Superintendent Shlomo Fuld, arrived tonight at the police command post at the Jerusalem Envelope Border Police base, to closely observe the forces’ activity in the field together with the Commander of the Jerusalem Envelope Border Police, Superintendent Eran Levy. 

The following are the results of the operation and the seized items:

* Three handguns. 
* M16 parts. 
* Loose ammunition.
* Two military combat vests. 
* An airsoft pistol. 
* Various types of drugs not for personal consumption (hashish, Spice, ecstasy,
marijuana). 
* A cloned vehicle.

Eight suspects were arrested in the operation and transferred for further investigation by the police and security forces.

This activity is part of a series of operations aimed at dismantling criminal and terror infrastructure that harms the safe living environment of residents, and it joins the activity carried out earlier yesterday by Jerusalem Border Police undercover operatives, who arrested a suspect in arms trafficking in the Shuafat refugee camp. 

Commander of the Jerusalem District, Superintendent Shlomo Fuld: “The implementation of the rule of law in every single point is a necessary condition for the security of the capital. ‘Capital Shield’ is not a one-time operation, but a new and significant stage in the defense of Jerusalem. The security of the capital begins in the depth of the territory, with determination and offensiveness. The operation sends a clear message to all those who plot evil: there is no safe haven from the long arm of the police. We are strengthening sovereignty and expanding governance in every corner of the Jerusalem Envelope and the villages, out of an uncompromising commitment to the safety and security of all residents of Jerusalem and the area. Where there is terror and crime – we will be there to eradicate them and restore order. Our policy is clear – zero tolerance towards anyone who tries to undermine sovereignty or harm the security of citizens.”

Commander of the Border Police, Superintendent Yitzhak Brick: “Border Police fighters operated tonight in the heart of the Shuafat refugee camp with determination, professionalism, and full cooperation with the Jerusalem District Police, as part of the effort to eradicate terror and crime and to strengthen personal security and the security of the citizens of Jerusalem and the area. The Border Police continues to be a special operational force in implementing the rule of law, thwarting threats, and deepening governance, wherever a firm, precise, and uncompromising response is required. Border Police fighters are a significant force multiplier in every sector, and operate with determination to restore security and maintain a safe living environment.”

Documentation credit: Police Spokesperson’s Office.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/iyyr6l1j42aub8cjovdbu/..mp4?rlkey=qi6mhpjbkib7blfkishs87nbr&st=powf1xcq&dl=0

Jerusalem, 11 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — As part of Operation “New Order” to strengthen governance, enforce the rule of law, and restore normalcy to daily life in the Negev, in an enforcement activity in the Bedouin town Tarabin more than 30 suspects were arrested and detained for questioning for a variety of offenses, and weapons were seized.

“The activity is intended to restore a sense of security, enable a normal daily routine for law-abiding residents, and establish a continuous presence and enforcement of state officials in the area,” said the police.

In parallel with the operational activity, an integrated regulatory activity was carried out, in which civilian enforcement agencies and regulators operated in the village of Tarabin to carry out broad and focused economic enforcement. The activity included enforcement in the areas of planning and construction, environmental quality, infrastructure, taxation, National Insurance, the electricity company and agriculture – as part of a comprehensive action concept aimed at damaging criminal infrastructure, strengthening the rule of law and promoting normalization and proper civil routine in the community.

Jerusalem, 8 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Following the rising violence and crime in Arab society, President Isaac Herzog convened the heads of the Negev authorities for an emergency discussion.

The conference is taking place against the backdrop of the “New Order” police operation, which was born as part of the fight against violence and crime in Arab society, and it emphasizes significant enforcement and an increased police presence in Bedouin communities in the Negev.

The purpose of the conference is to jointly examine the solution to the issue of the lack of a sense of security for both Jewish and Arab residents in the Negev, and to hear the voices of elected officials in the Negev in all its forms.

“The situation in the Negev is a national emergency. It is impossible that since the beginning of January, 11 Arab citizens have been murdered in the State of Israel,” said Herzog. Stop and think about this number, 11 citizens! This is an unimaginable figure. This is a national disaster and a national challenge. The Arab citizens of Israel are entitled to live in complete security, just like their Jewish brothers and sisters. Israeli law must apply in all authorities, and it is our duty not only to establish it, but also to enforce it.”

Jerusalem, 8 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s State Attorney’s Office filed indictments on Thursday against senior members of the Abu Latif crime organization known as “6006.” They were filed against the crime group’s leader Nidal Abu Latif and 10 others.

The indictments came after the conclusion of a covert investigation conducted by the Israel Police together with the Haifa Income Tax Investigations, Haifa Customs, and the Authority for Prohibition of money laundering and Terror Financing.

They contain facts and evidence of offenses committed against “The Prince” – a businessman who fell into financial debts due to the Covid crisis to a father and son, owners of a tahini factory and residents of Nablus who turned to the Abu Latif organization to collect the debt. The Prince’s identity has not been revealed because he then served as an undercover agent and witness for the police.

After “The Prince” settled his debt with the Abu Latif organization, members of the crime organization continued to extort “The Prince” and his family for large sums of money and property, and subsequently exploited his business capabilities and forced him to carry out numerous business actions for the benefit of companies associated with the organization.

According to the verdict, after marrying the complainant’s mother, the defendant began to commit sexual acts against her for a period of about a year, when she was about 15 years old. The acts were committed on numerous occasions, both inside and outside the family home.

The court convicted the defendant of 11 counts of intercourse with a minor family member, multiple counts of sodomy with a minor family member, and multiple counts of indecent acts with a minor family member. The defendant was acquitted of the charges attributed to him concerning another stepdaughter.

As part of the sentencing arguments, the Jerusalem District Prosecutor’s Office, represented by Adv. Yifat Pinchasi Nevo, argued that these were numerous acts that continued for about a year, exploiting severe family distress and a complex situation the family found itself in. The prosecution emphasized that the defendant gained the complainant’s trust and exploited it to satisfy his sexual needs, causing severe harm to her, her mother, and her entire family. It was also noted that the acts were carried out in a planned and sophisticated manner, including strengthening the relationship with the complainant and gradually escalating the acts, and that the defendant even documented some of the sexual acts without her knowledge.

The prosecution highlighted the significant age gap between the defendant and the complainant, the fact that the defendant did not take responsibility for his actions, did not express remorse, and did not ask for the complainant’s forgiveness, and the trend of increasing penalties for sex offenses within the family. In light of the severity of the acts, the prosecution requested that the defendant be sentenced to 16 years in prison, a suspended sentence, and compensation to the complainant, as well as an order for the destruction of the phone on which some of the acts were documented.

The Jerusalem District Court, as stated, sentenced the defendant to 12 years in prison, a suspended sentence, and compensation to the complainant. In its sentencing, the court noted that “the defendant entered the family as someone who sought to improve its situation, showered the complainant with love, who even called him ‘father’, but in reality exploited the situation and acted manipulatively to bring the complainant to satisfy his needs.”

The prosecution emphasizes that sex offenses within the family are among the most severe offenses, as they involve the exploitation of trust and severely harm minors. The sentence reflects the recognition of the severe harm caused to the complainant and the duty of the justice system to protect minors within the home.

Adv. Rivka Zilberfard, representing the victim on behalf of Legal Aid at the Ministry of Justice: “The minor victim acted with great courage when she chose to expose the ongoing abuse while still a minor and testify about it in court. This, despite her young age and the great difficulty in exposing abuse that occurs within the family. It is hoped that the significant sentence given to the abuser will now allow the victim to focus on her rehabilitation.”