Police not doing enough to combat surge in violent crime - Israeli Arabs

• Author: KHALED ABU TOAMEH
• Published date: 26 September 2021
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

Some Arab citizens, meanwhile, said they are not opposed to the idea of involving the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) in police efforts to combat the upsurge of crime.

However, they expressed doubt that the Shin Bet would be able to score achievements unless Arab families also assume responsibility for the actions of their sons.

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Since the beginning of this month, 15 Arabs have been killed in separate incidents in what is being described as the "Black September" of the Arab community. More than 1,600 Arabs have been killed in violent crime incidents since 2000, but the past few years have witnessed an alarming rise in the number of murder cases.

Prominent Arab activists attributed the increase in murders to the large number of illegal weapons that have made their way to the hands of individuals and crime gangs. According to various estimates, there are tens of thousands of rifles, pistols and hand grenades in the Arab cities, towns and villages across the country.

Although the police have in recent weeks confiscated dozens of illegal rifles and pistols, and arrested scores of suspected criminals, the number of solved murders in the Arab sector remains very low, mainly due to the lack of cooperation on the part of Arab citizens.

"The police say that they are making a big effort to fight against the criminals, but it is evident that they are not doing enough," Tareq Abdel Jawad, a resident of Kalansuwa, told The Jerusalem Post. "This morning we heard that even the police are admitting that they have lost control over the situation."

In response to claims that Arab citizens are reluctant to help the authorities in combating violent crime, some blamed fear of retaliation and a sense of insecurity.

"Several people who were accused of helping the police have also fallen victim," said Abdel Hakim Masarweh of Kafr Kara. "Some have been killed, while others were forced to go into hiding, together with their families. The feeling here is that the authorities will not protect you if you get into trouble. Besides, the police can't expect ordinary citizens to do the job of the security services."

Some Arab citizens told the Post that they are even afraid to dial 100 to report a crime in their neighborhood. Others accused the Arab Knesset members of failing to help curb the wave of violent crime.

"The people have lost confidence in...