BICOM

What happened: Arab-Israelis have declared a national strike today, including Arab politicians boycotting the Knesset opening session, in protest at rising levels of violent crime and ineffective action by the police and criminal justice agencies to tackle it. The Arab Higher Monitoring Committee, an umbrella political group, declared the strike in the northern Israeli town of Majd al-Krum, where two brothers were shot dead on Tuesday. Approximately 71 Arab-Israeli citizens have been killed this year as a result of violent crime.

• All local municipalities, schools and businesses in Arab-Israeli towns are expected to participate in the strike, along with the 13 members of the Joint (Arab) List who will skip the swearing-in ceremony at the Knesset to protest what Ahmad Tibi described as: “The wave of murders in Arab towns and the uselessness of the police.”
• Interior Security Minister Gilad Erdan, who oversees the National Police, will hold an emergency meeting with police commanders. Erdan called the surge in violence a “criminal terror wave” and said it would require a “determined fight with every tool at the state’s disposal”.

Context: While Israel has relatively low levels of violent crime, with 1.36 murders for every 100,000 people, the murder rate in the Arab-Israeli sector – 20 per cent of the country – is 6.8 times higher than among Jewish-Israelis, according to Yediot Ahronot. In comparison, the US has 5.3 murders for every 100,000 people.

• Violent crime in the Arab-Israeli sector is believed to be fuelled by the wide availability of firearms, a large number or organised crime gangs, a lax police presence and short criminal sentences, as well as so-called “honour killings” of women.
• Channelling his public’s frustration, Joint List leader Ayman Odeh said: “Blood is flowing through the streets even though everyone already knows the solution to the crime epidemic. Carry out the collection of weapons, wage war on crime organisations and enact educational programmes.”

Looking ahead: Arab-Israeli communities have historically been less willing to cooperate with police authorities, seeing the agencies as an extension of Israeli (Zionist) government policy. Yet, Arab leaders and the public at large are now demanding a comprehensive anti-crime operation, including extra police officers in Arab-Israeli towns. This follows the Joint List’s increased involvement in national politics – especially its decision last week to recommend Blue and White’s Benny Gantz for prime minister. Addressing the crime wave will require political influence, additional resources, and a real partnership between the Arab-Israeli leadership and government. In short, greater involvement.