Documentary Reveals Complex Legacy of Jewish Gangster Meyer Lansky in Israel

The documentary series "Lansky," airing its final episode on Kan 11, explores the multifaceted story of Meyer Lansky, a prominent Jewish gangster in the United States who later sought Israeli citizenship. Lansky arrived in Israel in 1970 as a tourist and applied for citizenship under the Law of Return. However, then Interior Minister Yosef Burg, a key figure in religious Zionism, ultimately denied his request and ordered him to leave, reflecting Israel's ambivalent stance toward Lansky.

Professor Robert Rockaway, featured in the series, was the first to study Jewish organized crime as a social phenomenon, highlighting the community's conflicted feelings of shame and pride. Lansky and his associates were not only notorious criminals but also contributed significantly to the Jewish community and the establishment of Israel, including providing funds, weapons, and connections. David Ben-Gurion even sent Golda Meir to the U.S. to secure life-saving support from Lansky and others.

Despite his contributions, Lansky became a target of the FBI in later years, pursued more for his past and Jewish identity than current crimes. The series traces this trajectory, from Lansky's attempts to integrate into Israeli society to his eventual expulsion, which the documentary frames as a betrayal by the Israeli government. Creator Avi Maor-Marzouk draws parallels between Lansky's story and contemporary issues, such as moral hypocrisy, elite condescension, and Israel's subservience to American demands.

The documentary challenges viewers to reconsider the complexities of Lansky's legacy and Israel's relationship with him, urging audiences to watch all episodes to fully grasp the nuanced history and its ongoing relevance.