Senior Criminal Itzik Bar Mocha and Son Critically Injured in Jerusalem Bombing

Senior criminal Itzik Bar Mocha, 59, and his 13-year-old son were critically injured in a bomb explosion in Jerusalem on Tuesday. Bar Mocha, formerly the head of the "Jerusalem Crime Family," was once considered one of Israel's most powerful crime bosses and remains a police intelligence target. He has a long history of criminal activity, including convictions for violence, property offenses, drugs, and weapons, leading to multiple lengthy prison sentences. He served 13 years for accumulated sentences, most of which were for crimes committed while incarcerated. His most recent sentence was five years for his role in the Ouda Koteir affair, from which he was released in late 2021.

Following his release, Bar Mocha moved to Yavne, where he reportedly became involved in turf wars with local crime organizations. His criminal record includes a prominent role in the extortion of Ofer Maximov, who stole millions from the Trade Bank, leading to its collapse. In 2003, Bar Mocha was sentenced to three years for his involvement in that case and fined half a million shekels. He was accused of receiving 50 million shekels from the bank's embezzlement funds via Maximov. Although initially charged with extortion and kidnapping, these charges were dropped in a plea deal, and he was convicted of operating gambling dens, tax offenses, and money laundering.

While in prison, Bar Mocha was convicted of possessing drugs smuggled by his lawyer, Liora Barko, and of managing a crime organization via phone from prison. In 2011, he was accused of directing loan sharking operations, generating significant profits through extortion and threats. Although charges of managing a crime organization were later dropped, he was sentenced to 43 months for other offenses, largely concurrent with his existing sentence.

Upon his release in early 2016, Bar Mocha returned to Jerusalem, and police anticipated a potential resurgence of gang wars. In 2018, he was arrested on suspicion of attempting to assassinate a rival of Ouda Koteir and extorting a debtor. He was also implicated in the attempted murders of former associate Yossi Malka and his brother Sami. Despite these serious allegations, evidence did not lead to indictments for the Malka brothers' attempted murders. This case concluded with a plea deal for lesser offenses and a five-year sentence, from which he was released in late 2021.