Government Sues Firm Over Alleged ‘Bilking’ of Charges for Housing Evacuees During Iron Swords War

Jerusalem, 17 August, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Ministry of Tourism, through the Jerusalem District Attorney’s Office (Civil), filed a counterclaim with the Jerusalem District Court in the amount of approximately 9.14 million Shekels ($2.6 million) and a claim for accounting against the company N-Nimi Group Ltd., for allegedly illegally receiving funds from the State and violating agreements, as part of the arrangement to provide shelter to evacuees from the “Iron Swords” war. Thousands of Israelis who live near Gaza and the border with Lebanon were relocated for months out of security concerns.

The Ministry said it deducted “significant amounts” from the bills it received from N-Nimi Group because it believed the firm failed to provide the services claimed on its invoices. So, N-Nimi Group sued for compensation.

The counterclaim filed by the Ministry alleges that the company reported false and exaggerated reports on the number of evacuees staying at its facilities. For example, at one hotel facility, up to 18 guests were reported per accommodation unit per day, several times the national average occupancy. At another facility, abnormal figures were also reported, up to eight guests per unit per day, alleged the Ministry.

Therefore, the Ministry of Tourism demands, in its counterclaim, that the company provide a full breakdown of all evacuees who it claims were housed in its facilities and for whom it received payment, including personal details, dates of stay and required references, in accordance with its obligations in the agreements. After receiving the precise data regarding the number of evacuees who were actually housed, the Ministry demand the payments made in excess be returned.