While the “Negev’s capital” Be’er Sheva has experienced a major construction boost in recent years, many contractors in the city complain about families of organized crime that extort them for “guarding services.”

Immediately after work on new buildings begin, various individuals affiliated with known families arrive at the local contractors’ sites and demand payment in threats.

“On the first day when you start working at the site, they physically arrive or call, and say: ‘this is our territory and you have to pay protection.’ That is the first conversation, and you pay, like everyone,” a contractor who spoke to Walla! News on condition of anonymity said.

“I pay NIS 6,000 [$1,800] a month. There is no guard in the facility but you are afraid that if you don’t pay you will get hurt,” the contractor added.

Israel Police responded, saying “the police conduct a determined and uncompromising fight against the severe crime in the region, and in particular against the instigators of crime, bullying and violence, via a variety of units, forces and means of police.”