Organized Crime in Israel 2026: How Crime Families Infiltrate Daily Life and Business

In a new episode of the podcast "Until the Edge," host Keren Neubach discusses the evolving landscape of organized crime in Israel with crime reporter Orly Elkala'i and attorney Reeda Jaber. They explore the surprising connections between seemingly unrelated elements, such as sushi businesses and crime families, and how places like Gafniqa have become battlegrounds for criminal activity. Elkala'i highlights that business owners across Israel are paying protection money, citing examples like the former mayor of Nazareth, who was arrested on charges linked to funneling municipal funds to crime families. She also notes attempts by crime groups to influence government contracts, including those related to the Defense Ministry's northern border fence construction.

Jaber focuses on the resurgence of organized crime within Arab society, attributing its growth to the lack of a fully realized state and meaningful citizenship. She stresses the need for a comprehensive social response involving community organization, cultural change, education, and public space management to combat this issue. The discussion also touches on concerns about the weakening control of the ultra-Orthodox leadership and rising social tensions, alongside other societal topics such as the impact of digital apps on romance.