\nPortrait of Yoel Zilberman, CEO of HaShomer HaChadash. (credit: YOSSI ALONI\/FLASH90)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\u201cYou need to understand how serious the problem is,\u201d he said. \u201cEvery industrial zone in Israel pays extortion. Every infrastructure contractor in Israel pays extortion. Almost every major infrastructure project in the country includes protection payments.\u201d<\/p>\n
In some cases, these payments are even built into the bids. \u201cThe state has incorporated this into its tenders. They call it \u2018security\u2019 or other names, but in reality, it\u2019s protection money. In many places, there\u2019s no actual security, just a security company sign.\u201d<\/p>\n
A state within a state<\/h3>\n Zilberman said this reality has already created an alternative power structure within Israel.<\/p>\n
\u201cA state within a state has emerged,\u201d he said. \u201cThere\u2019s another sovereignty inside the country. Criminal organizations have taken control of the state\u2019s most significant national infrastructure.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cToday, there are between 300,000 and 450,000 illegal weapons in Israel,” he added. “This is an existential threat. There are areas where it already feels like entire divisions of illegal weapons.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to him, \u201cThe state has basically accepted this. It said, ‘I can\u2019t deal with this world, so I\u2019ll pay.’ That\u2019s what bringing protection fees into tenders means.\u201d<\/p>\n
Zilberman described the extortion industry as one of Israel\u2019s largest economic sectors.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s probably one of the most profitable industries in Israel. It might even be more profitable than high-tech. Nobody pays taxes on it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked why the state fails to confront the phenomenon, he replied: \u201cThe state has failed. It has no strategy, no plan. There are lots of headlines and slogans, but no one comes to actually make a change.\u201d<\/p>\n
While criticizing the government, Zilberman distinguished between political leadership and the police on the ground.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe police are some of the best people in the country, with incredible dedication, but they\u2019re faced with an event far bigger than themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said the situation has worsened significantly since the outbreak of the war. \u201cAt first, there was a short calm for a few months, but then everything exploded again, much more forcefully. Today, the situation is catastrophic. The worst ever.\u201d<\/p>\n
He identified the loss of deterrence as a central issue.<\/p>\n
\u201cCriminals understand the state has given up. More young people enter this field because they see easy money with no real fear of the system.\u201d<\/p>\n
He concluded with a call for a broad national initiative:<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need a national operation to collect illegal weapons, dismantle the extortion industry, and restore state control. These are measurable. We can know where we are today and where we want to go.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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