Israeli Farmers Resist Extortion Demands, Vow Not to Pay Protection Money

Farmers in the Israeli community of Ramat Tzvi have reported receiving threatening phone calls demanding "security services," which they interpret as extortion attempts. The calls, which began earlier in the week, have prompted residents to unite and publicly declare their refusal to pay "protection money," or "P'roktehshn" in Hebrew.

One farmer, Itzik Abramovitch, 65, described a call where the caller, upon learning Abramovitch already had security, reacted with anger and surprise. Abramovitch, whose family has farmed in the area since 1949, stated firmly, "Paying protection money is not an option. Even if I have to close my business, we will not pay protection money here."

Another farmer, Pinhas Arbel, 74, also received a similar offer of "security services." When he questioned the caller's origin, he was told "from Gdera," but later learned the caller was from a nearby village. Arbel emphasized the community's unity, saying, "Paying is not an option. We are united, the entire moshav. If necessary, we will strengthen our security, but we will not give protection money to anyone."

In response to these incidents, which follow similar events in Ayelet Hashahar and Amiad, Ramat Tzvi residents have organized to fight back. Uzi Dvlin, a resident coordinating the effort, has partnered with the "Ad Kan" organization, which combats protection rackets. "Ramat Tzvi will not fall and will not pay anyone," Dvlin declared. "No criminal will collect protection money here."

Yariv Ben-Ami, founder of Ad Kan, praised the community's stance as "true value-based Zionism" and called for national attention and government action against what he described as a lack of governance in Israel. Gidi Harari, CEO of Ad Kan, noted that thousands of volunteers are ready to assist Ramat Tzvi and reminded the government of a promised 30 million shekel pilot program for victims of such rackets, which has yet to be implemented.