‘Anarchy’: Opposition slams government after ombudsman report on lack of governance in Negev

By Sam Sokol 28 April 2026, 5:44 pm

1 Edit

Sam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"

A demonstration calling for increased security for residents of the Negev, near the village of Tarabin al-Sana in southern Israel, January 9, 2026. (Tsafrir Abayov/Flash90)

Opposition lawmakers slam the government for “losing control of the Negev,” following the release of a state comptroller report detailing increasing polygamy and resultant national insurance fraud, a lack of enforcement of environmental regulations, and the widespread practice of local contractors being forced into paying “protection” money.

“Under Netanyahu-Ben Gvir-Deri, the Negev has become Palestine,” declares former prime minister Naftali Bennett, attacking Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Shas party leader Aryeh Deri.

“Nearly all contractors in the Negev are subject to protection rackets; there is gunfire into Air Force bases. There is complete anarchy; there is no law in the entire State of Israel. The only solution is to replace this government already, and bring in a good, new government headed by me that will restore law and order to the State of Israel.”

Yisrael Beytenu party chairman Avigdor Liberman argues that “the October 7 government has lost control of the Negev.”

“The state comptroller’s report reveals what every Israeli citizen already feels: governance is collapsing. Contractors are forced to pay exorbitant sums to protection racketeering, massive quantities of illegal weapons, polygamy, and a lack of effective enforcement — this is simply anarchy,” Liberman says, accusing the government of having “abandoned the ordinary citizen.”

“Itamar Ben Gvir is a danger to Israel’s security,” declares The Democrats party chairman Yair Golan.

“While Ben Gvir is busy with public relations and publicity stunts, crime is rampant, personal security has collapsed, and the Negev has been completely abandoned. Of all the bombastic ‘governance’ promises made before the elections, nothing remains but zero actions and neglect that cries out to the heavens,” he posts on X.