The Israeli Arab community is in shock and demanding immediate action after a recent surge in murders. Four men were shot dead in the Arab town of Abu Snan, including a mayoral candidate and two members of his family. This incident has intensified concerns about the rise of organized crime within the community and the government’s failure to address it effectively.
The bodies of Ghazi Saab, Zaher al-Din Saab, Amir Saab, and Salman Khalab were discovered in a field, with evidence of a substantial amount of gunfire. Ghazi Saab, a 53-year-old senior Israeli Border Police officer and businessman, was scheduled to announce his mayoral candidacy that day. While some speculate that the murder may be related to his political ambitions, the police have not found any evidence to support this theory.
In another incident, an 18-year-old Palestinian man was fatally stabbed near the town of Lakiya. The police suspect a criminal motive behind the killing. Additionally, the director general of Tira, Abdul Rahman Kashua, was shot dead in close proximity to the municipal headquarters and a police station. These killings, along with the escalating murder rate, have fueled concerns about organized crime gangs operating within the Israeli Arab community.
The Abraham Initiatives, an organization promoting Israeli Arab and Jewish equality, reported that the number of murders this year has already surpassed the total in 2022 by 40%. A party called the Arab Movement for Renewal (Taal) is urgently calling on the Israeli authorities to take decisive action. Many criticize the lack of representation and effective policing as contributing factors to the crisis.
This situation has also become highly politicized, with opposition members placing blame on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for appointing Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right national security minister known for his anti-Arab sentiments, in charge of the police. Former Defense Minister Benny Gantz accused Netanyahu of making empty promises while the Arab society is in crisis. In response, Netanyahu has convened a government taskforce and vowed to use all means, including the Shin Bet security service, to combat this crime wave.
Amidst this tense atmosphere, Itamar Ben-Gvir accused “militias” within the Arab community of perpetrating the violence and warned that they would eventually turn against the State of Israel. He advocated for controversial measures such as detention without trial for suspects and increased surveillance of Arab citizens by the Shin Bet. These suggestions have received mixed reactions and have been previously rejected.
Israeli Arabs, who constitute around 20% of the population, continue to face discrimination despite theoretically having equal rights. This recent surge in murders has further exacerbated their long-standing grievances. Urgent and comprehensive action is needed to ensure the safety and well-being of the Israeli Arab community and address the underlying issues contributing to this alarming crime wave.
