Police uncovered a large-scale protection racket targeting contractors in Rishon Lezion, focusing on major construction sites including the Ha'elef complex and the Shafdan project. Ten suspects were arrested after authorities lifted a publication ban on the investigation.

Investigators said members of a family from the southern town of Hura approached contractors as soon as engineering equipment was placed on site, claiming they were responsible for local security. They demanded monthly payments of between 8,000 and 10,000 New Israeli Shekels per site, and contractors who refused allegedly suffered heavy damage to their equipment.

The scheme reportedly combined intimidation with the appearance of legitimacy. Although no actual guards were deployed, contractors received invoices from licensed security companies, allowing the payments to appear as lawful business expenses. Police established an undercover infrastructure company that operated for nearly a year, documenting the extortion demands in real time and exposing activity that allegedly targeted dozens of companies.

During the arrests and searches, authorities seized luxury vehicles, cash, and documents. The suspects face allegations of extortion by threats, money laundering, and tax offenses involving millions of shekels. Police clarified that the Shafdan facility itself did not pay protection money, but contractors working at the site were among the victims.