Stop the violence - editorial

• Published date: 03 October 2021
• Author: JPOST EDITORIAL
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

It should be noted that this number relates only to the fatalities. There are, in addition, numerous attempted murders and other attacks that fortunately don't result in death. One Bedouin youth is in critical condition having been shot 14 times last week, apparently in revenge for a murder relating to clan warfare.

Last Thursday, in a particularly disconcerting incident, two Israel Police officers were attacked in Kafr Kassem by members of an apparently municipal-affiliated internal security force. The domestic security force, Al-Hirasa, operates under the auspices of the Islamic Movement, which also controls the Kafr Kassem municipality. The police officers were making an arrest after responding to a call about a violent incident.

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Israel Police Commissioner Insp.-Gen. Kobi Shabtai presented figures last week showing a 22% increase in illegal weapons infractions. Of the more than 4,730 arrests made so far in 2021 relating to gun ownership violations and illegal shootings, 92% were in the Arab community. Moreover, 430 pistols, 120 semi-automatic rifles and more than 400 guns have been seized, as well as thousands of bullets. Many of these weapons have been stolen from the IDF.

There has also been an increase in extortion of protection money by criminal gangs this year.

There are many explanations for the rising lawlessness in the Arab sector. The tribal clan system certainly aggravates the situation creating an atmosphere of almost open warfare between rival families vying for control of cities and communities, and furthering a cycle of violence with revenge attacks spreading out over years. There are also the so-called "honor killings" of women usually murdered by their own relatives for supposedly infringing strict behavioral codes.

Although law-abiding Arab citizens are obviously eager to end this ongoing violence that is making lives intolerable, in many incidents they are afraid to contact the police in case they are themselves attacked by the criminals in retaliation. When police officers themselves are openly attacked – and a police volunteer was killed last month – this too deters concerned citizens and municipal officials from speaking out and getting involved.

Arab MKs have denounced the violence, but instead of backing police...