NAHARIYA — Fourteen suspects were arrested in a corruption raid in northern Israel on June 2, 2026, including a deputy mayor from the Nahariya Municipality. The Israel Police announced the arrests following a year-long investigation into alleged criminal infiltration of the municipality’s decision-making processes.
Approximately 20 locations in northern Israel were raided by officers from Lahav 433’s National Economic Crime Unit, the Tax Authority, and the Border Police. During the operation, authorities seized luxury vehicles, a yacht, and real estate holdings valued at millions of shekels. The suspects face charges including bribery, fraud, breach of trust, bid rigging, money laundering, and tax offenses.
According to police officials, there are grave suspicions of systematic and ongoing infiltration of criminal elements into the Nahariya Municipality through illicit ties with senior officials. These actors allegedly gained control over key municipal bodies, including the Tenders Committee and the Planning and Building Committee. Criminals conspired with contractors and municipal employees to rig tenders by offering bribes and other illicit benefits, while excluding legitimate competitors from the bidding process.
Officials said municipal employees ensured that criminal-linked entities won tenders and received expanded building rights. Insiders also leaked nonpublic information to these groups before it was released to the general public. Through this alleged scheme, criminal elements pocketed millions of shekels from municipal operations.
The investigation was led by the National Economic Crime Unit within Lahav 433 in cooperation with the Tax Authority. Police indicated that further arrests are expected as the investigation continues.
The Nahariya Municipality confirmed that its personnel were involved in the investigation but did not specify which individuals. In a public statement, Mayor Ronen Marly said, "Mayor Ronen Marly has instructed all relevant parties and all municipal employees to fully cooperate with the investigative and law enforcement authorities."
The suspects are scheduled to appear before the Petah Tikva Magistrate's Court for deliberations on extending their detention.