Itamar Ben-Gvir distributes M5 rifles to settlers (AFP)
Crime rates surge in “Israel” under Ben-Gvir's tenure
“Israel” has seen a sharp rise in crime during 2023, the first full year under the leadership of extremist National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Data released by the “Israeli” police recently reveals an alarming increase in criminal activity, especially homicides, which have nearly doubled compared to previous years.
This surge in crime aligns with Ben-Gvir's tenure, continuing even before the disruptions caused by the “Israeli” war on Gaza.
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The police report published on news outlet The Times of Israel, which was delayed but eventually published, revealed that 274 criminal homicide cases were recorded in 2023, a significant rise from the 139 cases reported in 2022.
A majority of these murders occurred in Arab “Israeli” communities, with 227 homicide cases reported, up from 104 in 2022,
This is almost double the number reported in 2022, which stood at 139.
The majority of these murders occurred in Arab “Israeli” communities, where 227 homicide cases were recorded, up from 104 in 2022.
This rise in violence, which includes both Arab and Jewish victims, has raised concerns about public safety and the government's response to violence in the Arab sector.
The Abraham Initiatives, an organization monitoring crime in Arab society, reported that 244 Arabs were murdered in 2023, slightly higher than the police's count.
The group attributes this ongoing surge in violence to a lack of sufficient policing and government attention, citing budget cuts for fighting violence in Arab communities.
Along with the increase in homicides, the report also highlighted a surge in other criminal activities, including property disputes, thefts, and land trespassing. Car thefts, for example, jumped by more than 21 percent, and land trespassing offenses rose by 12 percent. Additionally, 33 women were murdered in 2023, marking a disturbing rise compared to previous years.
Haaretz, another Hebrew news outlet, commented on the report, stating: "Ben-Gvir is officially the worst National Security Minister in Israel's history."
However, official police data paints a grim picture of his tenure, and calls for his resignation have grown louder, with the opposition holding him accountable for the growing insecurity in “Israel”.