Police Arrest Dozens in Beersheba Protection-Racket Sting

Israel Police and Border Police arrested dozens of suspects in a protection-racket probe targeting business owners in Beersheba. Investigators say a Negev central-unit undercover officer posed for a year as an industrial-zone business owner, while suspects from Negev Bedouin communities demanded "guard fees" of tens of thousands of shekels through threats. The agent and detectives gathered evidence against suspects accused of extortion and property damage meant to force payments. The arrests are an important governance test in the Negev, where protecting lawful businesses is part of restoring public safety and Israeli sovereignty.