50 Arrested in Operation Against Protection Racketeering, Including Council Head Who Received Medal of Honor: "A Blow to Criminals"

In depth

Some 500 police officers, Border Police fighters and special units raided dozens of targets across the country at dawn as part of Operation "Guardians of the Shadow" and arrested about 50 suspects of collecting protection money from contractors. The operation was launched after a covert investigation lasting about ten months by the Coast and Lahav 433 District Major Crimes Unit.

The police said that among those arrested was the head of the Al-Batuf regional council, Ahed Rahal, and that he was arrested as part of a cross-district arrest operation. The police statement also said the suspects are suspected of extorting contractors to use "security" services that were not actually provided, and of paying tens of thousands of shekels for each construction site. Among those arrested was also the head of a crime organization.

The detention of the council head was extended by a week at the Haifa Magistrate's Court. Police Commissioner Major General Dani Levi said, "In the face of crime that crosses borders, we must combine capabilities and act together. What is needed here is determination toward the criminal and sensitivity toward the victim."