Israeli gov't to form committee to fight crime in Arab community

By Zein Khalil

JERUSALEM (AA) – The Israeli government on Sunday approved the formation of a ministerial committee to fight crime within the Arab community in Israel.

According to the latest official data, Israel’s Arab population is estimated at 2.048 million, constituting 21% of the country’s total population of 9.7 million.

The Arab community has seen a rising wave of crime in recent years amid accusations to the Israeli government of inaction to curb the crime.

According to Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, the number of homicides in the Arab community has reached 102 in 2023, up from only 34 during the same period in 2022.

"The cabinet, at its weekly meeting today, approved the establishment of the Ministerial Committee on the Arab Sector, to be chaired by the Prime Minister," Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.

The committee has members of 17 Israeli ministers, including hardline National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

There is no Arab member in the committee.

Last week, Netanyahu vowed to fight crime within the Arab community with the help of the Israeli public security service Shin Bet.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar