Netanyahu's Office Plans AI-Powered War on Organized Crime

The Prime Minister's Office in Israel is spearheading a new five-year plan, launched in August 2026, to combat Arab criminal networks, gang violence, and extortion. A central element of this strategy is the integration of artificial intelligence to analyze data and dismantle the financial infrastructure of criminal organizations. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has endorsed the program, which also involves the Shin Bet security agency in efforts against crime within the Arab community.

Netanyahu described the current situation as a "national disaster," stating, "We will not accept the reality of violence, extortion, and murder on our streets. The State of Israel will act decisively, firmly, and uncompromisingly to eradicate criminal organizations and restore security to our streets." The initiative aims to consolidate disparate government databases into a single, secure system.

AI will be employed to detect unusual financial transactions, identify recurring criminal patterns, and uncover shell companies used for money laundering. The goal is to enable law enforcement to proactively disrupt criminal schemes in their early stages. The office, led by attorney Roy Kahalon, intends to incorporate additional economic and enforcement measures into the final plan.