Smotrich backs program to aid businesses extorted in Israel
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The Finance Ministry of Israel will begin a NIS 35 million program on Thursday to support businesses in Israel that suffer direct property damage from protection-money extortion.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich advanced the measure, which aims to lessen the economic impact of extortion on business owners. The program will compensate uninsured businesses for damages, encouraging them to report incidents to law enforcement and resist paying extortion demands.
The Israel Tax Authority Property Tax Division will administer the program and track its effectiveness in aiding investigations and improving business security. Smotrich stated the government intends to replicate initiatives successful in Judea and Samaria, a region in the West Bank, to the Negev and Galilee regions of Israel.
Smotrich urged business owners to refuse to pay protection money, assuring them “The State of Israel stands behind you.” The pilot program will run for approximately two months in its first phase, with officials monitoring its success and impact.
