This book delves into a previously unexplored realm within criminological scholarship: Israeli organized crime. Breaking the silence that has shrouded this topic, this book undertakes a comprehensive examination of the intricate socio-economic and cultural landscapes that have shaped the criminal operations of a diverse array of Jewish and non-Jewish criminal entities, spanning from the inception of the Israeli state to the present day in 2024.

Drawing upon meticulous ethnographic fieldwork conducted in Israel between 2020 and 2024, alongside rigorous media analysis, interviews conducted both domestically and internationally, and a wealth of visual material captured by the author during fieldwork, this study offers unparalleled insights into the dynamics of Israel's underworld. It examines the multifaceted activities of various criminal organizations, including but not limited to drug and human trafficking, protection rackets, gambling enterprises, and contract killings.

Moreover, this book critically examines the responses of authorities and law enforcement agencies to the escalating influence of organized crime amidst the backdrop of major socio-political upheavals in Israel, ranging from wars and waves of immigration to terrorist attacks. By contextualizing these criminal phenomena within broader historical and contemporary narratives, this work not only fills a significant gap in scholarly discourse but also provides a nuanced understanding of the intersections between crime, society, and governance in the Israeli context.

Auteur

Dina Siegel is full professor of criminology, head of criminology department, Utrecht University, specialized in organized crime, Russian mafia, mobile banditry, human trafficking, green and cultural criminology. She is co-founder of the CIROC (Center for Information and Research on Organized Crime) and was president of IASOC (ASC). She is the author of many books and articles on different aspects of transnational organized crime and cultural criminology.