7 Arrested in Crackdown on Extortionists

Jerusalem, 8 July, 2025 (TPS-IL) — As part of Israel’s nationwide crackdown on extortion “rackets,” Seven people were arrested on suspicion of extorting “protection” money at construction sites in Tel Aviv. The arrests came after an undercover investigation found that the suspects were involved in the offense of collecting protection fees from business owners for infrastructure work operating in the Tel Aviv area.

Four of the suspects, residents of the Negev, allegedly caused damage to engineering machinery and equipment and forced the business owners to pay them “security fees.” In addition, suspicions have arisen against three additional suspects, who are suspected of running security companies that provide accounting cover for the criminal activities of the other suspects.