How Israel's Criminal Landscape Shifted from Traditional Syndicates to Arab Crime Networks
A senior police official details the transformation of Israel's criminal landscape, noting the decline of traditional Jewish crime families and the rise of Arab syndicates alongside changing alliances.
Two decades ago, the Israeli criminal landscape was heavily dominated by names such as Yitzhak Abergil, Zeev Rosenstein, and the Alperon family. Today, the picture has fundamentally changed. While some of the figures and organizations that once dictated the tone have weakened or become inactive, criminal organizations within the Arab sector have significantly strengthened.
According to a senior police official, this shift has also impacted Jewish criminal organizations, some of which now attempt to preserve their status, territory, and power through alliances with Arab crime syndicates. "They have more power, more personnel, more boldness, and greater operational capability," the official stated. "If you look at the national crime map today, this part has significantly shrunk. Compared to Arab crime, these are now much smaller margins."
The Moti Mulian and Other Syndicates
Various gangs in the south, Shalom Domrani, and figures historically associated with him continue to operate. However, their activity has in many cases become local, territorial, and sporadic. "This is no longer the model of Abutbul, Rosenstein, or Alperon, whose influence was far broader."
A prominent exception is the Mosli family. "The Moslis are still very strong," the official noted. According to him, one of their primary sources of power is the capital accumulated over the years and connections built abroad. "This money is power. The infrastructure they maintain outside of Israel also provides capabilities that can be made available to other organizations."
Consequently, common interests exist between them and Arab criminal elements, though the official warns against sweeping definitions. "No one is going to enter a world war between Arab organizations because of a Jewish organization. There are interests in these connections, but they are limited." Even conflicts that appear from the outside to be total warfare can disappear rapidly. "Ultimately, there are many economic interests and money here, and in this field, money almost always wins," he said.
The Lavi, Nagar, and Zaguri Families
Organizations that appear less frequently in headlines are not necessarily inactive. For instance, the Lavi family continues to operate primarily in the Shephelah region and southward, though their activity relies less on street violence and more on economic fields. Eyal Nagar, by contrast, "recently suffered a very heavy blow.He has anyway been threatened for years by rival organizations and is involved in various conflicts. Now we need to see what remains of his power."
The Shifting Dynamics of the Underworld
The Zaguri family, once a significant name in southern crime, has nearly vanished from the national map. Michael Mor, formerly a central figure in the north, no longer holds his past power. Additionally, figures such as Matan Avivi, Gal Zohar, and Oleg Koubulov—better known as Alik Ben from Netanya, who recently resided in Tel Aviv and is detained in a serious case—along with relatively minor criminals, operate locally without entering the big league.
Regarding Yitzhak Abergil, who remains a name of interest in the underworld, time has taken its toll. "He can still pull the strings in certain cases," the official said, but added that his influence is steadily fading. A criminal organization requires daily management. "You need someone present on the ground who knows how to manage partnerships, businesses, and interests. It is very difficult to sustain loyal people in the criminal world for long without an active and present leadership."
"In the End, Everyone Falls"
After detailing the names, alliances, and coalitions, the official summarized the crime map in a single sentence: "In the end, everyone falls."
«Either they end up in prison, or someone else ends their life. You can see this over and over throughout the history of crime.»
However, the downfall of a criminal does not necessarily mean a victory over the phenomenon. After every individual is removed, another arises. After every alliance dissolves, a new one is built, and after every crime boss is imprisoned, a new struggle for succession begins.
«Who will fill the void, who will be number one, who will he ally with, and who will try to exploit the organization's weakness? This is a living, dynamic, and constantly changing system.»
