Israeli Lawyer Indicted for Extortion Over Unpaid Debt and Threatening Messages

The State Prosecutor's Office filed an indictment on Sunday against a 52-year-old Israeli lawyer accused of extorting a friend who owed him tens of thousands of shekels. According to the indictment submitted to the Magistrate's Court in Rishon Lezion, the lawyer lent approximately 50,000 shekels in cash to the complainant during 2025, of which about 30,000 shekels were repaid. Additionally, a relative of the lawyer, who was also a friend of the complainant, lent another 20,000 shekels that remained unpaid.

After the complainant failed to repay the full amount, the lawyer allegedly began sending threatening WhatsApp text and voice messages, warning that he had contacted "some guys" and that "within an hour" people would arrive at the complainant's home. The lawyer reportedly instructed the complainant to cooperate with these individuals upon their arrival.

The indictment further alleges that the lawyer sent two men to the complainant's residence to intimidate him while his 9-year-old son was present. The threats continued with messages such as "I won't leave you alone" and "Next time I will come." Following these events, the complainant filed a police complaint, leading to the lawyer's arrest. The prosecution requested that the lawyer remain in custody until the conclusion of the legal proceedings, emphasizing the repeated threatening behavior and the fact that the accused is a criminal defense attorney by profession.