Israel's Capital of Illegal Residents: 'He Could Potentially Also Be a Terrorist'

Hundreds of businesses have closed and thousands of arrests have not stopped the phenomenon of illegal residents in southern Tel Aviv. Police admit: 'Once they're inside, we don't know what they brought in.' Desperate residents: 'Living on a powder keg.'

Hundreds of businesses have closed and thousands of arrests have not stopped the phenomenon of illegal residents (shochim bilti chukim) in Israel, with southern Tel Aviv identified as the main hub. Since the beginning of January 2026, 568 businesses have been closed nationwide, including 111 in the Tel Aviv district, and 1,109 illegal residents have been imprisoned for further investigation. A senior police officer explains that the actual number is higher due to a shortage of detention facilities. According to him, any illegal resident who has not undergone a security check could become a risk: 'He could potentially also be an assailant or a terrorist.' Alongside the security risk, police see illegal residents as a significant driver of crime in car thefts, break-ins, and robberies. Residents of southern Tel Aviv neighborhoods, especially Neve Sha'anan, Shapira, and Hatikva, describe a feeling of personal insecurity and living on a 'powder keg.' Local activists point to a complex mix of asylum seekers, foreign workers, homeless people, and drug dealers. The police are adopting a zero-tolerance policy toward employers and hosts, but admit the battle is far from over.