Contractors Face Extortion Crisis, Paying Billions to Crime Groups

Over 80% of contractors in northern and southern Israel are paying protection money, known as ""Prorokshan"", to criminal organizations, according to Yehuda Lashman, Deputy President of the Contractors Association. These payments amount to an estimated 5 to 8 billion shekels annually, fueling organized crime.

Lashman described the situation as a ""shaking interview"" where contractors are left to fight economic crime alone, contrasting it with the military's efforts against Hamas. He highlighted the severe threats faced by contractors, including intimidation and threats against their children, as a means of enforcing these extortion payments.

The association is calling for government intervention to combat this widespread criminal activity, which is crippling the construction industry and diverting significant funds to illegal enterprises. The scale of the problem suggests a systemic issue requiring a robust response beyond the capabilities of individual citizens or businesses.