Kan 11 Series Reveals Meir Lansky's Crime Empire and Israel's Dilemma

Kan 11's new investigative series "Lansky - The Jewish Gangster" exposes the criminal empire of Meir Lansky, his connections to Israel, and the complex dilemma he posed to the young state. Lansky, considered one of the greatest gangsters in modern American history, arrived in Israel in the 1970s, sparking public controversy. His presence forced Israel to balance aiding a figure who allegedly helped raise funds for weapons purchases with fears of becoming a haven for Jewish criminals worldwide.

Lansky rose to lead a crime syndicate during the U.S. Prohibition era by smuggling large quantities of alcohol from Canada and Europe, bribing officials, and operating a hit squad. His organization also established casinos, hotels, and a prostitution industry. Despite his Jewish heritage, most of the Jewish community distanced themselves from him, rejecting his violent actions which could not be justified as protecting the Jewish people.

The charismatic Lansky embodied a dark chapter Israel long sought to forget, individuals tarnishing the legacy meant to justify the Jewish people's existence in their homeland. The series highlights how Israel struggled with this reality, revealing that despite Lansky's assistance during critical moments, the state ultimately chose to reject him. The story serves as a reminder that societies can confront and expel those who threaten their moral boundaries, even when those individuals once played pivotal roles.

The series, featuring Oren Nahari, compels viewers to reconsider this shadowed episode in Jewish and Israeli history, which nearly faded into obscurity. It challenges the narrative that questionable decisions in Israel's early years were inevitable, showing instead that choices were made and lines drawn.