Jerusalem, 2 June, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Fourteen suspects were arrested Tuesday morning in a major corruption investigation in the northern Israeli coastal city of Nahariya, police said Wednesday. Among those detained were the deputy mayor, senior municipal officials, contractors and alleged organized crime figures.
Investigators allege that criminal actors worked together with contractors and municipal employees to manipulate public procurement processes. According to police, key municipal bodies — including the Tenders Committee and the Planning and Building Committee — were allegedly influenced to steer contracts and building rights toward specific interests.
Authorities further suspect that competing contractors were excluded from municipal tenders, while others received insider information and preferential treatment. Officials are also suspected of accepting bribes and benefits in exchange for advancing approvals and sharing confidential information prior to its official release.
The arrests followed a year-long undercover investigation. During coordinated raids at approximately 20 locations across northern Israel, investigators detained suspects and seized luxury vehicles, a yacht and real estate assets valued at millions of shekels.
Police said the scheme allowed criminal groups to “take control of central points of authority” and generate millions of shekels in illicit profits.
The Nahariya Municipality confirmed that some of its employees are under investigation. In a statement, it said Mayor Ronen Marly instructed all relevant staff to fully cooperate with law enforcement authorities. The municipality declined to provide further details.
Suspects are expected to appear before the Petah Tikva Magistrate’s Court for hearings on extensions of their detention. Police said the investigation is ongoing and further arrests have not been ruled out.