Jewish Crime Empires Decline as Arab Organizations Gain Power

The landscape of organized crime in Israel has undergone a significant shift over the past two decades, with traditional Jewish crime families experiencing a decline in power and influence, while criminal organizations within the Arab community have grown substantially stronger. A senior police source described this transformation, noting that while names like Yitzhak Abergil, Ze'ev Rosenstein, and the Alfrone family once dominated the scene, many of these figures and their organizations are now weakened or inactive.

This shift has led some remaining Jewish criminal groups to seek alliances with Arab crime syndicates in an effort to maintain their territory and power. The police source highlighted the Mosli family as a notable exception, still possessing considerable strength due to accumulated wealth and international connections, which they can leverage for other organizations. However, these alliances are described as pragmatic and limited by specific economic interests, rather than broad commitments.

Even seemingly large-scale conflicts between criminal groups can dissipate quickly, as financial interests often take precedence. The source explained that in this dynamic environment, individuals who can act as public-facing "frontmen" are crucial for maintaining connections and projecting power, a difficult task for those imprisoned far from Israel.

Ultimately, the police source concluded that "everyone falls" in the world of organized crime, either through imprisonment or death. However, the downfall of one criminal does not signify the end of organized crime itself. New leaders emerge, alliances reform, and power struggles ensue over vacant leadership positions, illustrating a constantly evolving and dynamic system.