Paul Landes () is the founder and the last Head of the National Bureau for Counter Terror Financing (NBCTF) of the Ministry of Defense in Israel (2018-2025). Previously, he served as Head of the “Harpoon” Unit at the Mossad (2015–2017) and as Head of the Money Laundering and Terror Financing Prohibition Authority (IMPA) in the Ministry of Justice (2009–2015).
Biography Landes earned a Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws with honors from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He served as a partner in the law firm Yehuda Raveh & Co., Amit Ben-Aroya (August 8, 2010). The government approved: Paul Landes was appointed Head of the Money Laundering and Terror Financing Prohibition Authority. TheMarker. as the legal advisor of the Jerusalem Development Authority,Paul Landes. Reichman University. and as the legal advisor at the “Derech Eretz Corporation,” which operates Highway 6.Hadas Magen (April 11, 2007). Advocate Paul Landes was appointed the legal advisor for anti-money laundering. Globes. Landes serves as a lecturer on money laundering and terror financing prohibition at Reichman University and Bar-Ilan University.Prohibition of Money Laundering and Terror Financing. Bar Ilan University.
In 2007, he was appointed as the legal adviser of the Money Laundering and Terror Financing Prohibition Authority (IMPA) in the Ministry of Justice.Hebrew entry about the Money Laundering and Terror Financing Prohibition Authority (IMPA) in the Ministry of Justice in Israel In November 2009, He was appointed as the acting director.Hadas Magen (November 11, 2009). Paul Landes will head the government's anti-money laundering unit. Globes. In August 2010, the Israeli government appointed Landes as the director general.Itay Har-Or (August 8, 2010). Paul Landes was appointed as the incumbent money laundering unit. Calcalist. The IMPA was founded in 2002, based on the Prohibition on Money Laundering Law, 5760 (2000).Prohibition on Money Laundering Law, 5760-2000. Israel Government. It heads the struggle against money laundering and terror financing in Israel and aligns with worldwide parameters determined by the FATF.About Israel Money Laundering and Terror Financing Prohibition Authority. In 2012, Landes initiated a process for Israel to become a Financial Action Task Force member.Ela Levi-Weinrib (February 22, 2016). FATF grants Israel observer status. Globes. In 2016, Israel was endowed with observer status,Ela Levy-Weinrib (November 1, 2015). Israel wants to join the international anti-money laundering task force. Globes. and in 2018, it became a full member.Yonah Jeremy Bob (February 10, 2022). Meet Israel's 'money sheriff' fighting money laundering, terror funding. The Jerusalem Post. He was a member of two government committees: one, to limit the use of cashChen Maanit (August 9, 2015). Landes incumbency: Leapfrogging in the battle of money laundering. Globes. and second, for Financial Sanctions on Banking Corporations.Yossi Nissan (October 10, 2013). Money laundering: Cal was fined 6 million NIS, and Leumi Card was fined 1.2 million shekels. Globes. He proposed an amendment to the money laundering prohibition law,Yuval Yoaz (June 21, 2010). Advocates and accountants must disclose if their clients will carry out money laundering. Globes. which the Knesset accepted in 2014.Money laundering prohibition law 2014 (13th amendment). The Knesset. Landes served as the Chairman of the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units operative committee.(June 4, 2018). Adv. Paul Landes: Head of the National Bureau for Counter Terror Financing. Ministry of National Security (Israel). He also served as an evaluator at Moneyval (in the Council of Europe), where he assessed compliance with regimes of anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism.(December 16, 2013). Israel lauded for fighting money laundering, urged to do more. Israel Hayom.
From 2015 to 2017,Source of Authority. Landes was Head of the "Harpoon" Unit at the Mossad,Hebrew entry about "Harpoon" Unit at the Mossad in charge of terror financing information gathering.Nitsana Darshan-Leitner (2020). Harpoon: Inside the Covert War Against Terrorism's Money Masters. Hachette. He proposed it would perform better as an official unit, cooperating internationally with similar anti-terror and money-laundering organs. Yossi Cohen, Head of the Mossad, advocated for Avigdor Lieberman, Ministry of Defense, to relocate Harpoon to his office. The Security Cabinet of Israel moved Harpoon's jurisdiction to the Ministry of Defence.Assaf Gilead (December 22, 2023). What happened to Mossad's prestigious commando unit Harpoon, which waged financial combat against Hamas?. Globes.
The National Bureau for Counter-Terror Financing (NBCTF) at the Ministry of DefenseHebrew Entry about The National Bureau for Counter-Terror Financing (NBCTF) at the Ministry of Defense in Israel was founded in March 2018 to coordinate national operations to topple the monetary framework for terrorism. Its authority is delineated in the Counter-Terrorism Law, 5776 (2016). The Minister of Defense appoints the director of the NBCTF in discussions with the Prime Minister and reports directly to the Minister.Source of Authority. National Bureau for Counter Terror Financing of Israel. NBCTF submits a yearly report Under the Deduction Law 2018,The Deduction Law, 2018. The Knesset. (It obliges the government to deduct the sum of money that the Palestinian Authority renders to terrorists from the taxes Israel collects). This gives an account of the disbursements to Palestinians imprisoned in Israeli jails under the Palestinian Authority Martyrs Fund.Reports under the Deduction Law. National Bureau for Counter Terror Financing of Israel. Since its establishment in 2018 until December 2023, the National Bureau for Counter-Terror Financing of Israel seized over $1 billion in terror funding.Tomer Ganon (December 27, 2023). Israel seized over $1 billion in terror funding over the past five years. Calcalist (in English). In 2023, it issued 363 orders involving freezing assets and seizing funds in NIS 642.91 million.Zachy Hennessey (February 5, 2024). Fintech leaders collaborate with Israel to counter terrorism financing worldwide. The Jerusalem Post. The NBCTF froze hundreds of Tron wallets,Tom Wilson and Elizabeth Howcroft (November 30, 2023). Focus: New crypto front emerges in Israel's militant financing fight. Reuters. and cryptocurrency accounts on the Binance exchange site linked to Hamas,Tom Wilson and Angus Berwick (May 5, 2023). Exclusive: Israel seized Binance crypto accounts to 'thwart' Islamic State, document shows. Reuters. the Palestinian Islamic Jihad,Milan Czerny/Shomrim (November 15, 2023). Israel failed to stop Hamas' cryptocurrency flow. Ynet. and Iran's Quds Force.Leo Schwartz (June 29, 2023). Israel smashes Hezbollah crypto network in historic seizure, credits Chainalysis and Binance. Fortune. As of early 2024, such operations had frozen 3.7 billion shekels of terrorist-linked assets. Tomer Ganon (June 22, 2025). Inside the “shadow fleet” that financed Iranian terror cells worldwide. Calcalist. In August 2024, Israel imposed sanctions on 18 oil tankers that Iran's Quds Force allegedly used to finance Hezbollah and Hamas terrorist groups.Ori Isaac (October 13, 2024). Israeli senior: Hezbollah must be overthrown financially. Hevrat HaHadashot. In 2024, it froze assets and seized funds in NIS 470 million. Itamar Eichner (February 25, 2025). Sanctions on Released Security Prisoners – and Katz's Decision: The Money Will Be Transferred to Terror Victim. Ynet. In March 2022, the NBCTF signed a MoU with the USA Department of Homeland Security to combat terrorist financing and collaborate in cybersecurity.Carrie Keller-Lynn (March 2, 2022). US and Israel to announce new cybersecurity collaboration framework Wednesday. The Times of Israel. In may 2025 he completed his tenure as head of the NBCTF. Asaf Gilad (July 1, 2025). The less familiar side of the war: Israel has dealt a severe blow to Iran’s financial infrastructure. Globes.
He is a member of the board of directors of Israel Electric Corporation.Israel Electric Corporation, board of directors.
He is married to Assistant Commissioner Shlomit Landes, head of the Investigations Division in the Israel Police. Shilo Freid (December 18, 2023). The camp headquarters for identifying the fallen is returning from its most difficult week ever. Israel Hayom.
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