Jerusalem, 13 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Nine suspects were arrested in an extortion “protection” case. Following an undercover investigation, Northern District police raided numerous targets, made the arrests and seized over a million shekels in cash as part of a large-scale extortion case. In addition, six vehicles were seized, one of which is suspected to be stolen with duplicate license plates.

The investigation revealed that behind the extortion incidents was a cell that called itself “Shabab Al Jabal,” which extorted protection money from innocent people and fired at the buildings of those who did not meet the payment demands.

Jerusalem, 13 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Government of Israel and Society Division in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) published for the first time the recommendations of the inter-ministerial team for innovation in government, with the intention of creating a leap forward in increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of service and responses to the public. This, said the PMO, is done by establishing a strategic, holistic and applicable action plan to concentrate efforts, connect and diversify measures, and by continuously identifying, supporting and accelerating innovative initiatives and ventures and removing systemic barriers to their advancement.

Among other things, the professional work lays out an outline and initial operating theory for institutional-process innovation in government, which includes a comprehensive approach to efforts in this context, and is not based solely on aspects of digitization and digital innovation.

Main recommendations:

Creating and managing a cross-cutting and measurable portfolio of government efforts based on shared conceptualization and operational theory.

A hybrid innovation management model supports, encourages, empowers, and values the initiatives and innovations that emerge from the field and, on the other hand, creates a strategic
framework/professional conceptual umbrella for the field from a COG (Center of Government) perspective.

Removing barriers to innovation as a key effort to enable innovation.

Accelerating and supporting entrepreneurs and initiatives throughout the government to realize and leverage capabilities, including in designated spaces.

Skills and tools for human capital – with an emphasis on focused development and implementation capsules.

The incentive of government bodies and risk management executives enables and promotes innovation.

Jerusalem, 13 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Coastal District Police Chief and the Carmel Region Police Chief succeeded in solving a case of attempted extortion of a doctor, with threats and shooting at a doctor’s home and vehicle, of millions of Shekels. An indictment was filed against the suspect in the act.

The suspect is a 20-year-old resident of Daliyat al-Karmel, a Druze town on Mount Carmel.

Jerusalem, 13 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Thirteen suspects were arrested and tens of thousands of counterfeit tobacco products and stolen vehicles were seized in a raid conducted Tuesday morning in the Shu’fat refugee camp in northern Jerusalem. The raid was part of the “capital shield” program, which was launched Sunday night, as part of the Israel Police’s fight against criminal elements, terrorist infrastructures, and troublemakers in Jerusalem.

During the operation, 10 vehicles with an estimated value of more than 400,000 Shekels ($127,000) were seized. 90,000 packs of counterfeit and smuggled cigarettes were seized – the estimated value of the goods was approximately 890,000 Shekels ($282,000). Business owners were also summoned for further investigation and criminal proceedings will be initiated against them for the sale and distribution of counterfeit goods.

Part of the main goals of the Capital Shield program is to integrate forces with civilian enforcement agencies, with the aim of ensuring that the law is enforced everywhere in the Jerusalem area and the villages adjacent to the fence. The sale of unsupervised food and counterfeit goods is not only an economic offense, but a direct violation of the security and health of residents. The ‘Capital Shield’ program will continue in a variety of areas, in order to increase and strengthen sovereignty and governance.

Jerusalem, 13 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — With an investment of approximately 450 million Shekels ($143), Israel’s Ministry of Transportation is embarking on the expansion of Highway 505 from Ariel to Tapuach Junction in Samaria.

The project, which will be carried out by the Israel Roads Company, will transform the main axis into a two-lane, two-lane highway, upgrade safety, and include public transportation infrastructure and advanced security components.

As part of the work, the road will be expanded to a two-lane and two-lane route along the entire section. The project includes the resurfacing of the Ariel Intersection, the Marda/Jama’in Intersection and the Kfar Tapuach Intersection, alongside the establishment of public transportation lanes (PTLs) at the intersections in preparation for a future public transportation system. The work will also include complex engineering development, the construction of retaining walls, drainage arrangements, landscape development and water infrastructure.

In addition, many resources will be invested in security components that include floodlighting, protective fences and infrastructure for advanced security systems. The tender for the work was published a week ago.

Jerusalem, 13 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on Tuesday with Yaakov Harari, who was released Monday night from prison in Venezuela and landed in Israel a short time ago. Harari is an Israeli-Argentine businessman who Venezuela accused of being a mercenary.

Yacob, 72, was held for more than a year by the Maduro regime along with dozens of other Western prisoners.

Yael and Ya’ara, Yaakov’s daughters, also participated in the conversation, who wished to express their appreciation to the State of Israel, the Prime Minister, the Jewish community in Caracas, and all of the state’s envoys for the relentless effort to free their father from prison and return him home.

The Prime Minister congratulated the Harari family and wished the family members and Yaakov health, a speedy recovery, and a return to a normal life after the nightmare they went through.

The Prime Minister expressed appreciation to the Foreign Ministry, the Mossad, and the coordinator of the Shul, Gal Hirsch, for their work and wished to thank the American government, the German government, the Austrian government, and the Italian government for the assistance they provided to Israel in the process of returning Yaakov to his homeland.

Jerusalem, 13 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Government Freedom of Information Unit in the Ministry of Justice and the Administration for Special Duties in the Ministry of the Interior published a report reviewing the implementation of the Freedom of Information Law in local authorities in 2024.

According to the report, a total of 9,676 freedom of information requests were submitted to local authorities in 2024. This is an increase of approximately 11.5% compared to 2023. For comparison, 13,956 requests were submitted to government ministries in the same period.

The authorities to which the largest number of requests were submitted are the Jerusalem Municipality, the Ashdod Municipality, and the Rishon LeZion Municipality. A breakdown of all requests found that 78% of the requests were submitted to municipalities and the rest to local and regional councils.

Approximately 60% of the reasons for rejection cited by local authorities were that the information could not be located (50.2%) or the information was not in the authority’s possession (9%).

The government’s Freedom of Information Unit notes that 45 out of 258 authorities (about 17% of all local authorities) did not submit a Freedom of Information report at all, contrary to the law, including the Taiba Municipality (third year in a row), the Ma’ale Adumim Municipality (third year in a row), the Nazareth Municipality (fourth year in a row) and the Shfaram Municipality, and the local councils – Elkana, Lehavim, Arara, Kasiphe, Kiryat Arba, Kiryat Tivon, Karnei Shomron and more.

Jerusalem, 13 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Three Bedouin residents of the south impersonated security forces wearing IDF (Israel Defense Forces) uniforms, and wearing jackets, helmets and weapons. and robbed a jewelry store in Dahariya, reported the Israel Police. In an operation by the Judea and Samaria Police, the suspects were caught and arrested while in possession of weapons.

The store that was robbed is owned by Palestinians.

Jerusalem, 13 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has decided that Israel will immediately sever all contact with the following UN agencies and international organizations. In addition, the Foreign Minister has ordered his ministry to immediately examine, in consultation with relevant government ministries as necessary, the continued cooperation between Israel and other organizations. Additional decisions will be made after a thorough examination and further discussion.

These are the organizations with which Israel severed ties:

1. The UN Alliance of Civilizations – The organization, founded by Turkey and Spain, claims to promote intercultural and interreligious dialogue, but did not invite Israel to participate in its activities, and for years served as a platform for attacks on Israel.

2. UN Energy – “A wasteful organization that reflects the UN’s excessive and inefficient bureaucracy.”

3. Global Forum on Migration and Development – “The forum undermines the ability of sovereign states to enforce their own immigration laws.”

As stated, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will thoroughly examine additional organizations and further decisions will be made later.