In recent years protection rackets have become a plague of Israel. According to the basic research and information center, in 2024 160 criminal cases are opened against 130 suspects for protection racket violations. 78% of cases are in the north, 12% in the south, and 10% in other regions. Investigators highlighted that in practice crime is more widespread.
Courts did not sit with no reason for the growing problem and recently began to submit the sanctions that were greater sanctions.
In fact, the jurists acknowledge a fancy of the Supreme Court, which began early 2023, to reject appeals by protection of protection of protection of protection of sentences. Last week, the Supreme Court increased the sentence of Nidal Abu Latif, who was convicted in what was defined as the flagship case of Protection Racketeering in the north. The Supreme Court was judged Abu Latif in five and a half years in prison, instead of four years he was sentenced to the district court. Appeal against the fusion woe is filed with adv. Omri Kofler in the Economic Department of the State Attorney’s Office.
Abu Latif and his companions were convicted of bleiticing A. after he approached it to “replacing” criminals who were originally collected fees from him. The convicts agreed to give A. Their protection, but later useless in NIS 2.5 million from him. Judge Alex Stein described the way as the Underworld.
A sentence is just a “slap on the wrist”
Ten and three defendants were convicted of the case. The prosecution seeks to judge Abu Latif for at least eight-year imprisonment, and asked the Supreme Court after half of the term. In his decision to increase the passage, Judge Stein wrote, “On its face, the jail sentence cannot be defined as the crimes we have been described as a” slap on the wrist. “
On November 2024, the Supreme Court also added sentences imposed by two other charges in the case – the months in the District Court, and 28 months imposed by the district aslan rather than in jail instead of 26 months. Adv. The Cochavit Netzach-Dolev, former District District Attorey (civil) and today a companion of the AGMon and the majestic penalties need to be disturbed, the prison courts should be charged with many penalties in the same sentences. “
In February 2024, the Supreme Court increased the punishment of Hamza Dahla from 3 years of prison for 7 years for collection of refrigeration forever. Another accused, Naif Dahla, was sentenced to 6 years in prison from 2.5 years.
“The reason is the fear of being caught, not the sentence”
Justice Yosef Elron wrote:
But not all certainly the increase in the penalty is effective. Adv. Ori Rainetzey, a former Senior Officer office office and is currently a criminal lawyer with criminal defense, believing that the increase in punishment cannot be separated.
He said, “Those who think that a severe penalty is a constraint of thinking that the offender is important or five years they have taken in these calculations.” They did not make the calculations. “
Rinatzey warns: “I bet it can’t help. The police will make it easier to make the pussy of these years in the minister’s direction.”
With existing law penalties for rape through threats, a special law produced by 2023 as a temporary order within five years, collected a new sin – collecting money in protection. The law imposes jail penalties for six years for a violation of no threat, and seven to nine years for an offense that includes threats. A minimum sentence of 25% of the prison terms are also specified.
The data presented by the Constitutional Constitutional Constitution of Knesset last week is indicated to date 171 reviews are filed under this law.
“This is an event that exists around the country, not only in construction contracting and agriculture. It is an offense to be changed in the same way as terrorism,” the police representative said to hear.
“It is very difficult to bring witnesses to court,” adv. The ITAMAR Gelbfish, Deputy Director of the State Criminal Department, told the Committee, “in cases, we have experienced witnesses of judgment, because there are many fears.” This event is known as a “bond of silence,” weakening victims and witnesses from teaching responsible.
Constitutional Committition of the Constitutional Constitution discusses a bill that will allow a warfare that a warfare has been taken away, but defense lawyers criticize the proposal. Adv. Yishai Sharon in the Public Defender’s office tells the committee, “systems are not enough to assess and implement a change in a reform and another change.” According to him, “it is a difficulty fighting against crime … There is something less healthy about it … The benefit can be marginal compared to the violation of rights.” The fear of violating human rights increases because of political measure that the issue has recently been removed. Those active involved in the issue are organizations with the right, including the Kohelet Forum, which helps government movements against judicial, and the “new guardian” organization. The recent Supreme Court rulings, making the penalty in this area worse, judges written from conservative wings in court.
Economic hardship moves crime
In spite of the greater prison sanctions, the arab society’s economic hardship is also expected to continue fuel crime. According to data from the Central Bureau of Statistics, the Arab Men’s employment rate is 53%, compared to 68% among the Jewish men; and 30% of Arab women, compared to 65% of Jewish women. Almost half of the Arab Society lived under the poverty line, and the rate of poverty three times higher than the Jewish families.
An official enforcement officer of senior law believes this is the cause of the problem. According to him, “the problem is that the state does not break the crime cycle by closing the gaps and soldiers who are not good, the protection exists and increases.”
Police: “Fundle Fees of Fight – Primary Priority”
Israel Police said, “Police commissioner Danny has ordered allocation of all Israel Police’s resources to strangle the economic oxygen of criminal organizations. Extorting protection fees is the air that criminal organizations and the Israel Police has made Fighting Protection Fees a top priority, with significant activity Being carried out in recent months against criminals and gangs who were involved in collecting protection fees from innocent citizens and business owners.
“Recently, and followed by the incident of Israel’s police on the issue of protection against 13 plain requests. Formerly, five main cases of disposal fees.
“We emphasize that every accusation submitted is the result of faith in the victims of Israel who is preferred by criminal organizations that destroy criminal organizations harmful to criminal organizations.”
Published in Globes, Israel News in News – en.globes.co.il – On June 11, 2025.
© Copyright in Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd., 2025.
