Four Israeli suspects were arrested for illegally employing Palestinian workers without permits and bringing them to IDF bases and sensitive security facilities, the Israel Police reported on Monday. These contractors were provided tenders by the Defense Ministry.
Additionally, five Palestinians from the West Bank were arrested last week. They had forged documents and certificates, including vehicle licenses and engineering equipment operation licenses.
The Defense Ministry and Israel Police initiated a covert investigation conducted by the "Erezim" Central Unit of MALMAB and the National Unit for Combating Economic Crime of Lahav 433.
Monday morning, four additional suspects were arrested and brought to the offices of the Economic Crime Unit at Lahav 433. Additionally, the Magistrate's Court ordered the detention of three of the suspects until Thursday and one suspect until Tuesday.
Five suspects arrested last week will be brought on Tuesday for a hearing at the Judea Military Court at Ofer Camp regarding the police’s request to extend their detention.
A covert probe
The investigation began as a covert probe during which suspicions arose that several contractors who won Defense Ministry tenders work at bases and security facilities employed workers not in accordance with security protocols.
There is also suspicion that these contractors were aware of the employment of unauthorized workers, including illegal residents.
Additionally, there is suspicion that bribes were given to officials who were involved and aware of document forgery operations, which facilitated the entry of unauthorized workers into various IDF bases and even sensitive facilities.