Information for this study was obtained from the police and the Israeli Ministry of Immigration, interviews with Georgian Jews (GJ's) and other Russian immigrants, and conversations with prison guards (some of them Georgian). GJ's rapid entry into organized crime in Israel was based on their cultural customs and traditions in Russia, including a history of certain forms of economic criminality. These cultural patterns were reinforced by discrimination against GJ's by the dominant Israeli society, which obstructed the commercial integration of the GJ's. The structure of the Israeli political economy and criminal underworld also encourages relatively easy entry into crime. The comparatively benign Israeli law enforcement system promotes violence and lawbreaking. GJ criminal groups tend to consist of male relatives, and the leader is most often older and experienced in crime. Criminal operations are well-planned and use a division of labor based on expertise. Offenses consist primarily of organized burglaries, mainly of food supplies and businesses. Some fence the merchandise through their own stores. 16 references.