The operation followed an investigation which aimed to combat both extortions and “protection money” paid to these crime families in northern Israel, police explained.
Israel Police arrested dozens of people from the Abu Latif and Hariri crime families in an operation with the Border Police, police said in a statement on Sunday.
The operation followed an investigation which aimed to combat both extortions and “protection money” paid to these crime families in northern Israel, police explained.
Police targeted dozens of members from these families, including their homes, as well as locations in the West Bank.
The police statement explained that the operation was planned for more than a year, using undercover agents, under the leadership of the Northern District Command and the State Attorney’s Office economic department.
Israeli border police officers seen during an operation in the West Bank city of Jenin, February 23, 2025. (credit: CHAIM GOLDBERG/FLASH90)
Hariri and Abu Latif crime families
Both the Hariri and the Abu Latif families are among the most powerful and dangerous crime organizations in Israel. According to Kan, they are involved in public tenders, takeover of businesses, extortion, numerous incidents of violence, and shootings.
They are also suspected of being linked to a number of brutal murders of recent years.
Back in February, 38 members of the Abu Latif family were detained by the Israel Police, resulting in 24 indictments for allegedly using blackmail and extortion to obtain local government contracts.
Several infamous members of the family were caught in the operation, including family head Suleiman Abu Latif and former chairman of soccer club Hapoel Ironi Arraba, Nissim Sah, who was sentenced to 14 years in prison for killing a police officer and injuring another in 2021.
The investigation focused on the extortion and blackmail of local contractors to monopolize the market. The family also extorted local businesses for protection money.
Yuval Barnea contributed to this report.