{
  "id": 16986076,
  "title": "Israel's underworld at the ballot box: Who are crime figures backing?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/israels-underworld-at-the-ballot-box-who-are-crime-figures-backing",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-29T01:16:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/israel-election-2026/article-913171"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Wednesday, prominent organized crime figures in Israel revealed their political preferences, including support for Israel's two main Arab parties, Ra'am and the Joint List, as well as left-wing politician Yair Golan. Despite keeping the police, State Attorney's Office, and courts busy throughout the year, these individuals also participated in the democratic process on election day. The complex range of political preferences within the criminal underworld was further highlighted by the case of Eitan Hiya, whose associates indicated he supported Yair Golan.\n\nThis political alignment, while unexpected, sheds light on the diverse political preferences within the criminal underworld. However, it is essential to note that these opinions are based on conversations with sources close to the figures and do not verify the ballots they cast. Furthermore, voting took place in Israel's prisons on Wednesday, with an 88.7% voter turnout among eligible prisoners and detainees. The Law for the Protection of the Public from Criminal Organizations allows courts to impose restrictions on individuals associated with criminal organizations, even without a formal indictment, to prevent serious harm to public safety. Despite these restrictions, the right to vote remains intact for individuals connected to the criminal underworld.",
  "summary": "Sources close to the Jarushi family indicated support for Ra'am and the Joint List, while associates of Eitan Hiya expressed preference for Yair Golan.",
  "key_points": [
    "Crime figures in Israel reveal political preferences on election day.",
    "Eitan Hiya's associates indicate support for Yair Golan.",
    "88.7% voter turnout among eligible prisoners and detainees in Israeli prisons."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The diverse political affiliations of organized crime figures demonstrate that even those targeted by public safety laws maintain an active, multifaceted influence within the democratic process.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}