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Crime in Israel’s Arab communities reflects a society in distress

The year 2026 could become the deadliest year on record in these towns, with nearly one killing a day since January, driven by structural discrimination and chronic police neglect.

Crime in Israel’s Arab communities reflects a society in distress

Gathering of Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel in Tel Aviv to denounce the government's inaction in the face of crime in Arab communities, on Jan. 31, 2026. The banner reads: "Stop abandonment and crime. We want to live." (Credit: Jared Hillel/L'Orient-Le Jour)

“Everyone loved him,” said Fadi Abu Saleh, brandishing a placard bearing a photo of his brother Ali. “He never caused problems. He was about to get married.”On Aug. 27, 2023, Ali, a Palestinian citizen of Israel, was shot dead at 28.Years later, his brother joined a massive demonstration in Tel Aviv on Jan. 31 to testify to his loss. Behind the headlines Yariv Levin, the minister seeking to dismantle Israel’s justice system The protest came as 2025 marked the deadliest year on record for Israel’s Arab communities, with 252 people killed, and as 2026 threatens to surpass it.Since January, 34 homicides have already been recorded in predominantly Arab towns.The first large protest took place on Jan. 22 in Sakhnin, in northern Israel, where nearly 100,000 people took to the streets to denounce government inaction amid surging violence...
“Everyone loved him,” said Fadi Abu Saleh, brandishing a placard bearing a photo of his brother Ali. “He never caused problems. He was about to get married.”On Aug. 27, 2023, Ali, a Palestinian citizen of Israel, was shot dead at 28.Years later, his brother joined a massive demonstration in Tel Aviv on Jan. 31 to testify to his loss. Behind the headlines Yariv Levin, the minister seeking to dismantle Israel’s justice system The protest came as 2025 marked the deadliest year on record for Israel’s Arab communities, with 252 people killed, and as 2026 threatens to surpass it.Since January, 34 homicides have already been recorded in predominantly Arab towns.The first large protest took place on Jan. 22 in Sakhnin, in northern Israel, where nearly 100,000 people took to the streets to denounce government inaction amid...
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