Five Arrested in Israel for Stealing Millions from Public War Aid for Evacuees

In a troubling revelation, Israeli authorities have arrested five individuals accused of orchestrating a large-scale fraud scheme that siphoned off tens of millions of shekels from government aid intended for citizens displaced by war.

The funds were allocated as part of a special wartime grant program, designed to assist evacuees who had returned to work for at least 11 days per month. Eligible recipients could claim NIS 3,000 per month but the system was abused in thousands of cases.

A joint investigation by the Israel Police’s Northern District and the National Insurance Institute uncovered the operation. It found that false claims were submitted en masse, with those behind the scam actively soliciting citizens to file fraudulent declarations via the government portal. According to investigators, the suspects “hunted” for potential claimants through various means and facilitated the illicit payouts.

Police raided the homes of the suspects in Deir al-Assad, Kisra Sumia, Uzir, Nazareth, and Beit Jan. All five are believed to have pocketed vast sums by exploiting the goodwill of a system built to support Israelis during one of the most difficult times in recent history.

The investigation also involved questioning dozens of Israeli citizens who falsely claimed eligibility. Many of them admitted they had been recruited by middlemen who promised to handle the grant process in exchange for a cut of the funds.

The public aid program had been launched in the wake of the October 7 Hamas massacre and the ongoing war in Gaza. It was a critical element of the government’s strategy to stabilize life for displaced families and communities near the front lines. The revelation that opportunists used this aid for personal gain has shocked many across the country.

Authorities say the damage amounts to “tens of millions” of shekels. The probe is ongoing, and further arrests may be expected.

This case underscores not only the importance of accountability in public aid distribution but also the necessity of strengthening oversight mechanisms, particularly during times of national crisis. Israel’s commitment to supporting its citizens must not be undermined by those who would exploit a time of war for personal profit.

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