The New York Times writes about the killing of an Israeli Mobster last week. From the NY Times: The Alperon hit had dominated the news for days. A narrow strip of a country, Israel has a limited pool of celebrities. So when Mr. Alperon, referred to by many as Israel’s Tony Soprano, was killed at 54, the [...]

According to Israeli Officials, Hamas is solidifying its hold on the smuggling tunnels in the Gaza strip. From the Jerusalem Post: Sixteen months after assuming full control over the Gaza Strip, Hamas appears to be stronger than ever - largely thanks to the growing number of tunnels that are used to smuggle goods and weapons under the [...]

Another article on the money being made from the tunnels in the Gaza Strip. From the Guardian: Hamas is receiving a steady revenue licensing illicit tunnels in Gaza’s south to smugglers and business people who are importing fuel and other items from Egypt to meet shortages created by Israel’s blockade of the Palestinian territory. Hundreds of tents covering [...]

UN Officials are stating that the tunnel smuggling in Gaza is large enough to be considered “an industry”. From BBC News: The level of smuggling tunnels between the Gaza Strip and Egypt now amounts to an industry, according to UN officials. A UN report said the tunnels had become a lifeline for Gaza’s Palestinians because of the Israeli [...]

Israel accused North Korea of trafficking nuclear technology and arms to various countries in the Middle East.  From the AP (via Google News): Israel accused North Korea on Saturday of covertly supplying at least half a dozen Mideast countries with nuclear technology or conventional arms. The allegation was made at an International Atomic Energy Agency meeting in Vienna [...]

Tunnels beneath the area between Egypt and Gaza is big business for those who control the pathways.  The Christian Science Monitor reports on the contraband products that travel underground. The buffer zone between Egypt and Gaza is a no man’s land. But beneath the eight-mile Philadelphi Route, this border town stays busy. Officials on both sides say a [...]

Companies in Israel are losing an estimated $500 million to piracy each year, according to the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce. Source: Hadas Manor, ” Israeli industry lost $500m to piracy last year,” Globes Online, November 14, 2006, (accessed: November 16, 2006).

Israel Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will step down in September after being caught up in a corruption investigation. From the Washington Post: Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced Wednesday he will resign in September, throwing his country into political turmoil and raising doubts about progress for U.S.-backed Mideast peace efforts. Olmert’s brief address, given at his official Jerusalem [...]

Israel is creating a witness-protection program to assist law enforcement officials in their fight against organized crime. From the Jerusalem Post: After years of calls for the establishment of an Israeli witness-protection program, the plan is expected to be operational by 2009, thereby dealing a serious blow to organized crime, the Knesset Internal Affairs Committee was told [...]

Companies in Israel are losing an estimated $500 million to piracy each year, according to the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce. Source: Hadas Manor, ” Israeli industry lost $500m to piracy last year,” Globes Online, November 14, 2006, (accessed: November 16, 2006).