Rising Crime in Arab Communities Sparks Protests, Calls for Government Action
A surge in violent crime plaguing Arab communities in Israel has ignited widespread protests and a growing sense of desperation, with citizens demanding greater government action and accountability. The escalating crisis, marked by a recent spike in homicides, has prompted an unprecedented mobilization of Arab citizens and garnered support from Jewish Israelis.
So far this year, 39 Arab citizens of Israel have been murdered, averaging one death per day, according to reports. This follows a record high of 252 homicides in Arab communities in 2025, tracked by the Abraham Initiatives. The violence has instilled fear in cities like Lod, once a crossroads of the ancient world, now described by residents as increasingly dangerous.
“Everyone in Lod feels threatened,” says Sereen Abu Laban, a lawyer in the mixed Arab-Jewish city. “We check the lock on the front door many times a night.” Abu Laban is grieving the loss of a close friend who was killed by criminals in front of her home. “She tried to call me that day,” she recounts. “I was too busy to answer. Then her daughter called me with the news.”
The outcry over the surge in homicides and perceived government negligence has fueled large-scale demonstrations across Israel. Tens of thousands of protesters marched in Sakhnin on January 22, 2026, as part of a general strike demanding police intervention in the relentless wave of violence. A subsequent protest in Tel Aviv on January 31 drew approximately 70,000 participants, including both Arab and Jewish citizens.
Protesters have voiced their anger directly at Itamar Ben-Gvir, the far-right Minister of National Security, chanting slogans such as “Ben Gvir, you miserable man, Arab blood isn’t cheap.” Critics accuse Ben-Gvir of prioritizing political dissent over tackling the root causes of crime within Arab communities and of failing to address the flow of illegal weapons.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has labeled the crime in Arab society a “national emergency.” However, many Arab citizens believe the government is indifferent to their plight, adopting what some describe as a “policy of lethal restraint.”
“The government can, but does not want to. The police can, but refrain from acting,” Jamal Zahalka, head of an umbrella organization representing Arab citizens, stated during a rally in Tel Aviv. “When it comes to crime in Arab towns, the police adopt a policy of lethal restraint.”
The protests are seen as a potential turning point for Israel’s Arab minority, representing a convergence of long-standing grievances over personal security, inequality, and strained relations with the state. Experts suggest the mobilization could reshape Arab political participation and influence government priorities.
A two-hour work stoppage is planned for Tuesday as part of a nationwide “day of disruption” to protest “the abandonment of Arab society to violence and crime,” according to Standing Together, a joint Jewish-Arab movement.
The crisis is also prompting discussions about emigration. A recent survey by the Israel Democracy Institute found that a third of Arab citizens are considering leaving Israel, citing concerns about safety and quality of life. This represents a significant shift, given the deep roots of Palestinian citizens within their communities.
“Leaving one’s hometown, land, or close family environment was often socially discouraged and considered somewhat taboo,” says Ola Najami-Yousef, director of the Jewish-Arab Center for Peace at Givat Haviva.
Yara Kadura, an optician living in Lod, expresses a common sentiment: “I don’t see a future for my children. But I don’t want to leave the country in which I was born… We should not have to emigrate to find safety.”
Adding to the political dynamic, Israel’s four Arab parties have signed an agreement to run as a single body in upcoming national elections, potentially increasing their influence in addressing the concerns of the Arab sector. The situation underscores a growing demand for change and a renewed commitment to securing a safer future for Arab citizens of Israel.
