Violent Crime Surge in Arab Society Raises Alarm in Israel

The alarming rise in violent crime within Arab communities in Israel has seen 21 lives claimed in January alone, more than double the number of deaths in the same period last year. This surge has drawn the attention of both law enforcement and community leaders, sparking fears that 2025 could see even more violence if trends continue.

By February 3, the death toll had climbed to 26, with the most recent tragedy occurring in Abu Snan, where three people were shot dead in a violent attack. This marks a troubling increase over the previous year, which itself saw a record-breaking 244 homicide victims in Arab society.

In response to the escalating violence, police launched a major operation in Umm al-Fahm on January 28, aiming to curb serious crime. The operation involved over 1,000 officers, arresting 31 suspects for economic and workplace offenses, seizing illegal vehicles, and confiscating drugs. However, the operation was met with strong opposition from local leaders and residents.

Umm al-Fahm Mayor Samir Mahamed expressed outrage, stating that police did not coordinate the operation with city officials. He condemned the actions as "insulting" and claimed that they unfairly targeted law-abiding citizens, turning the city into an “army barrack.”

Despite the police's claimed successes, the violence did not abate. On January 31, three people were killed in a shooting and car-ramming attack, underscoring the failure of law enforcement to deter criminal activities in the community. This incident led to public outcry, with many arguing that the state and police are not doing enough to stop the violence.

Experts agree that the violence is largely driven by powerful criminal organizations that have flourished due to years of police neglect. Knesset member Ahmed Tibi emphasized that law enforcement’s inability to solve murder cases has allowed these groups to operate with impunity, further fueling the violence. A recent report by the Abraham Initiatives revealed that the police only solved about 15% of murder cases in Arab society in the past year, a statistic that underscores the growing frustration within the community.

Yoni Arie, director of the Abraham Initiatives’ Safe Communities project, also criticized the police’s tactics, describing the recent operation as a "cynical misuse" of efforts to combat crime. He pointed out that one of the targets of the raid was a program designed to mediate disputes within families, which had been successful in resolving 1,600 conflicts last year.

Adding to the controversy, Israeli authorities recently outlawed a program aimed at reducing violence in Arab society. The program, linked to extremist cleric Sheikh Raed Salah, had been instrumental in mediating between feuding families and was praised by local leaders for its effectiveness. However, the Israeli government, citing the program's connections to Salah and his political activities, shut it down, drawing further criticism from Arab Israeli leadership.

Ra’am party chairman MK Mansour Abbas expressed concern that this move would harm efforts to reduce violence and alienate Arab communities. The High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel, an umbrella organization, has vowed to challenge the ban in court, further highlighting the growing divide between Arab citizens and the Israeli state on how to handle rising violence.