Three Brothers Charged with Extorting Golan Farmer for 80,000 Shekels

A criminal indictment has been filed against three brothers from Lod accused of extorting a farmer from the Golan Heights for approximately 80,000 shekels. The suspects allegedly posed as members of the Garoushi family and repeatedly demanded money from the farmer, threatening him with harm if he did not comply. The investigation began after a complaint was filed with the Northern District Police.

According to police, despite the farmer paying around 80,000 shekels, the suspects continued to demand tens of thousands more. The farmer also transferred 1,640 kilograms of cherries to the three men, supposedly as part of a transaction, but reportedly received no payment or credit toward the alleged debt. Investigators uncovered explicit threatening messages sent to the farmer’s phone, including one stating, "Prepare the money before I come to your house and your father's, or I will make a big scene. I want the money today, I’m not waiting until the 30th."

Police revealed that the suspects met with the farmer multiple times, including on his farmland, where they continued to pressure him for money. The investigation became public on August 5, when the three brothers, aged 31, 41, and 45, were arrested by Northern District police officers. Two were detained while driving in the north, and the third was arrested in central Israel.

The Northern District Prosecutor’s Office, represented by attorney Salim Bashara, submitted the indictment to the Nazareth District Court. The brothers face charges of extortion under threat and aggravated fraud. Police emphasized their ongoing efforts to combat crime and extortion in the north, pledging to use all available means to bring offenders to justice and protect residents’ security.