Ayal Nagar Strengthens Control Over Ashdod Crime Scene Despite Rival’s Killing
Ayal Nagar, once considered a close associate and financial mastermind of the late crime boss Beni Shlomo, has emerged as the dominant criminal figure in Ashdod following Shlomo’s assassination in October 2022. Contrary to expectations that Nagar’s influence would wane without Shlomo’s protection, he instead consolidated power, forging strategic alliances and expanding his criminal operations.
After Shlomo’s death at a gas station, Nagar surprised the Israeli underworld by publicly reconciling with his longtime enemies, the Lavi brothers, in a widely publicized peace meeting in Yehud. This alliance ended years of violent rivalry and bloodshed, including a bombing at Amos Lavi’s wedding, and transformed the Lavi brothers from foes into strategic partners. Nagar also strengthened ties with other local factions, including the Georgian gang, bolstering his enforcement capabilities.
Nagar’s criminal activities reportedly include loan sharking, extortion, and money laundering. However, his rise has sparked new conflicts with former allies from Shlomo’s organization who viewed the peace with the Lavi brothers as betrayal. This led to a violent gang war, including a recent assassination attempt thwarted by police when a powerful bomb was found and defused in Nagar’s car in Ashdod.
The police crackdown culminated in a major operation by the Lahish Regional Unit, which arrested Nagar and several senior members of his organization after a year-long undercover investigation. Israel Police Commissioner General Danny Levi stated that the operation dealt a critical blow to Nagar’s criminal network, significantly weakening it for the foreseeable future and making recovery difficult.
Nagar’s rise began years earlier after he was forced out of his hometown Rehovot due to a blood feud with the Lavi family. In Ashdod, he rebuilt his power base from scratch, overcoming assassination attempts and rivalries with other crime groups, including the Russian mafia led by Mikhail Tansky. His strategic approach, combining economic savvy with calculated alliances, set him apart in Israel’s criminal underworld.
