The persistent and escalating rate of crime and violence remains a top-most concern for Arab society in Israel. Murder scenes have become routine, with gunfire and explosions now commonplace dominating the headlines.
The violence extends beyond organized crime, impacting uninvolved civilians—doctors, engineers, high school principals, journalists, and elected officials are all among recent victims. The growing sense of insecurity is not only due to the violence itself but also the unsettling belief that it will only continue to escalate. The psychological toll is profound as the normalization of violence fosters a sense of helplessness and growing powerlessness among residents.
Rising Homicide Rates in 2025
The homicide rate in Arab communities has surged, with 45 individuals murdered since the start of 2025, compared to 27 at the same time last year. In 2023, the number of murders reached 236, according to the reports from the Abraham Initiatives. Cities like Lod, where 15 murders were recorded in both 2023 and 2024, have become epicenters of violence, with six additional murders already occurring this year. Despite the number of victims, the police manage to prosecute only around 10% of the murderers in Arab society, in contrast to the over 80% prosecution rate in Jewish communities.
This rising crime and low prosecution rates weaken a particularly in the past year and a half, has led many Arab citizens to feel abandoned, fueling frustration and distrust in the authorities.
Rising Influence of Crime Organizations and Setbacks on Enforcement
Criminal organizations, especially those involved in protection rackets and grey-market loans, have exploited the power vacuum created by the war and internal security crisis. Rising unemployment and economic hardship in Arab society, worsened by the conflict, have led more individuals to turn to grey-market solutions. When these organizations demand repayment for loans, violence and even murder are often used to enforce compliance.
Meanwhile, law enforcement is seen as ineffective or inadequate. The Israel Democracy Institute reports that under Minister Ben Gvir, the Ministry of National security has not led to improved enforcement, nor is there a full-time Minister of Public Security or a designated project manager to address the problem. Additionally, significant budget cuts to the GR-549 five-year plan aimed at tackling crime and violence in Arab society have removed needed resources and signaled a lack of commitment to the issue to Arab society. The head of the Shin Bet cautioned cabinet members about the long-term strategic threat posed by the reduction, arguing that such cuts could erode Arab citizens’ sense of belonging to Israel, potentially leading to grave consequences. Furthermore, the closure of the Emergency Information Center for Arab Society in Kafr Qasim on May 13, as reported by The Marker, is seen by senior security officials as a critical setback. The Center had been instrumental in reducing violence and fostering better relations between Jews and Arabs in Israel.
The Closure of the Committee for Imposing Peace
An additional setback to efforts aimed at mediating intercommunal conflicts within Arab society occurred on January 28, 2025, when the Committee for Imposing Peace, an organization focused on resolving disputes through traditional Arab reconciliation methods, was raided by Shin Bet security services and outlawed by the Israeli government. The committee, founded in 2021, had been instrumental in mediating conflicts and preventing bloodshed. With its closure, many fear that the government’s actions will only exacerbate violence within Arab society, further eroding the sense of social stability and trust between Arab citizens and the state.
Impact on Children and Families
The violence is not only claiming lives but also destroying families, particularly affecting the children left behind as orphans. According to reports from the Prime Minister’s Office Task Force on Fighting Crime, at least 510 children and young people have lost a parent to violence in the past two years. The trauma experienced by these children is profound, leading to anxiety, dysfunction, and an increased risk of future involvement in crime.
A 2021 study by Sunflowers, Tel Aviv University, Bar-Ilan University, and the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs found that children from single-parent households face significantly higher risks: four times more likely to be arrested, ten times more likely to become at-risk teens, thirteen times more likely to drop out of school, and fifteen times more likely to develop eating disorders. They are also eight times more likely to struggle with addiction and twenty-five times more likely to enter prostitution. Experts warn these children are more vulnerable to violence and crime as they grow up.
Organizations like Sunflowers, which operates six support centers in Arab localities, offer vital psychological and social services to help young victims of violence process their trauma. However, NGOs cannot provide adequate support and replace government welfare systems, and many families struggle to access long-term care due to a shortage of social workers and psychologists, particularly in poorer communities.
In the Arab community, local governments lack sufficient resources. Social workers are often reluctant to visit the homes of homicide victims, especially in organized crime cases, leaving orphans without timely care. Baka Moasi, Sunflowers’ regional manager, states, “There aren’t enough centers that can provide treatment for orphans,” noting that local social workers are overwhelmed and undertrained in complex cases. Hadar Kass, founder of Sunflowers, emphasizes, “The state isn’t meeting its mission in helping the victims… in Arab society, the situation is much more serious because of the discrimination they suffer.”
Arab Society Calls for Government Action
Given this reality, Arab citizens, alongside their national and local leaders, are protesting the government’s indifference. They are calling for immediate and determined action to curb the power of crime organizations and restore a sense of security. Ahmad Tibi, a prominent Arab leader, has criticized the government for treating Arab citizens not as members of the community to be protected but as a “problem” to be contained.
In February, a series of demonstrations was organized by the initiative “Fight Against Crime,” coordinated by Standing Together, across several cities such as Umm al-Fahm, Nazareth, Tel Sheva, and Baqa al-Gharbiyye. The movement, supported by both Arab and Jewish allies, has called for immediate government and police action to address the rising tide of violence in Arab communities. Activists accused authorities of neglecting the crisis, with bereaved families joining protests carrying banners denouncing government inaction and stating, “Arab Lives Matter”. They argue that while crime has long affected these communities, authorities have failed to implement effective solutions, instead prioritizing arrests of demonstrators over criminals. “We are tired of losing loved ones because the police choose to let crime take over our streets,” said one protester in Nazareth, emphasizing the deepening sense of neglect. Others pointed out that crime threatens not only Arab citizens but Israeli society as a whole.
Another rally in Tel Sheva, held under the banner “Justice for Salah,” honored a victim of violence and demanded justice for Salah and the 41 others killed since the start of the year. “We will be the voice of Salah and the 41 others who have been killed since the start of the year,” said the organizers.
Protesters have vowed to continue their demonstrations until concrete steps are taken to address the violence. “We will not wait for the next murder,” declared one organizer at a rally in Baqa al-Gharbiyye.
On February 23, residents of Tamra gathered near the police station to protest the violence following the murder of Jawad Yassin, a tragic reminder of the urgency of this growing crisis. “Today, crime has entered almost every home, and we will all pay a heavy price if we continue to remain silent,” said Amer Yassin, the father of 17-year-old Jawad, murdered a day before.
This growing sense of frustration is also manifesting in grassroots initiatives, such as a campaign led by young Bedouins to challenge the traditional norms surrounding violence. Marwan Al-Sheikh from Tel Sheva, who leads the initiative, highlights the connection between violence and perceptions of masculinity, noting that young men often turn to violence to assert their sense of manhood. This initiative aims to break the cycle of violence by engaging youth and redefining strength and identity through education and social media. One success story highlights a 16-year-old who transitioned from violence to MMA training, showing how change at the individual level can ripple through families and communities.
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