Israeli Prosecutors Charge Arab Man from Sharon with Extortion Threats Against Contractor

The Israeli State Prosecutor's Office has filed charges against Yosef Amar, a 26-year-old resident of Baqa al-Gharbiyye, for extortion, threats, and witness harassment. According to the indictment submitted on Sunday to the Central District Court, Amar impersonated a member of the Hariri crime family to pressure a renovation contractor over a debt.

The contractor owed approximately 10,000 shekels to Nur Salah, who had hired him for renovation work at the Ariel Country Club. Salah enlisted Amar to collect the debt, relying on Amar's alleged reputation as part of the Hariri crime organization. Amar contacted the contractor via phone and WhatsApp, identifying himself as "Hamudi from the Hariri family," and threatened that "an army of 70 people" would come to his home, demanding a payment eight times the original debt.

When the contractor reported the threats to the police, a meeting was arranged in Ariel where the contractor agreed to hand over 10,000 shekels in cash to Amar's emissary. However, during the meeting, the contractor gave an envelope without money, leading to the emissary's arrest. Afterward, Amar sent threatening WhatsApp messages warning the contractor that no help would come since he involved the police.

The prosecution has requested Amar's detention until the conclusion of legal proceedings. Nur Salah has been summoned for a hearing related to the case.