Israeli Justice Ministry Revokes Security Firm License Over Extortion Scheme in Negev

The Israeli Ministry of Justice has revoked the license of the security company "HaShomrim BaNegev" after determining that its personnel engaged in extortion disguised as legitimate security services. The decision followed a hearing with the company's owners, who were found to have provided a false accounting cover for collecting protection money from businesses in the Negev region.

Evidence showed that the company, along with one of its owners who also held a security organizer license, collaborated with another recently banned security firm to facilitate payments to criminal groups controlling the areas where they operated. In many cases, no actual security services were provided despite payments, and in others, services were minimal and irregular.

As a result of the license revocation, the company and the licensed security organizer are barred from applying for license renewal for three years, although they retain the right to appeal the decision. The Ministry of Justice noted that this ruling is part of a broader crackdown on extortion practices involving security companies and organizers, a growing national problem in recent years where criminal elements exploit legitimate businesses as fronts for illegal activities.