National Insurance Revokes Benefits for 211 in Suspected Residency Fraud

Israel's National Insurance Institute revoked benefits and residency-linked rights for 211 people Tuesday after a joint enforcement operation with the Judea and Samaria Police District and Population and Immigration Authority. Officials said a prolonged covert investigation found evidence that residents allegedly concealed where they actually lived to receive healthcare, allowances and other public benefits fraudulently. Administrative proceedings have begun, and authorities are considering aggravated fraud charges; some of those affected are also suspected of other criminal offenses. The institute estimates that stopping improper payments, recovering funds and preventing future fraud will save the state tens of millions of shekels.