Daily killings highlight deep inequality in 'Israel’s' indigenous Palestinian communities

• Homicides among 'Israel’s' Palestinian citizens have surged, averaging one death per day, with families accusing authorities of neglect.
• Police solve far fewer crimes in Arab communities (15 percent) than in Jewish areas (65 percent), highlighting stark enforcement inequalities.
• Nationwide protests and strikes have erupted, demanding government action against the crime wave.

Violent crime in 'Israel’s' indigenous Palestinian population has reached record levels, with dozens killed each month and families accusing authorities of turning a blind eye, fueling nationwide protests.

A mother was shot outside a supermarket, a man killed after leaving a mosque, and a doctor gunned down while treating patients, these incidents reflect a growing epidemic of lethal violence, according to CNN.

indigenous Palestinian citizens of 'Israel', making up about 20 percent of the population, say the government has failed to curb this violence, much of which is linked to organized crime networks within the indigenous Palestinian Arab community.

Inequality in Policing

Statistics highlight severe disparities in law enforcement. 'Israel' Police has solved only 15 percent of homicides in indigenous Palestinian Arab communities, compared with 65 percent in Jewish neighborhoods, according to the Knesset and the Eilaf Center for Advancing Security in Arab Society.

Descendants of Palestinians who remained in 'Israel' after 1948, these citizens were under military rule until 1966 and continue to face discrimination in many aspects of daily life.

Deadliest Year and Rising Tally

Last year was the deadliest on record for 'Israel’s' indigenous Palestinian Arab citizens, with 252 killed, most by gunfire, according to Abraham Initiatives, a group promoting social inclusion. CNN reports that 46 people have already been killed so far in 2026.

Protests Sweep 'Israel'

Outrage over the violence has sparked massive demonstrations. Tens of thousands of indigenous Palestinian Arab citizens marched in cities across 'Israel'. At a protest in occupied Sakhnin, a majority Arab city in northern 'Israel', demonstrators chanted: “No to killing, no to death, we want to live in justice.”

The protest, culminating in a multi-day general strike by shop owners, has grown into a nationwide movement. Streets are filled with black flags, and water fountains were dyed red in symbolic acts of protest.

Occupier Government Responses

'Israeli' President Isaac Herzog visited occupied Sakhnin to meet local leaders and organizers. He claimed addressing crime in the indigenous Palestinian Arab communities is a “moral obligation” and must become a top national priority.

Selective Law Enforcement

The Eilaf report notes that indigenous Palestinian Arab citizens face “selective enforcement”, strict policing of political activity and freedoms, but leniency toward criminal acts.

Homicides Doubling Under Ben Gvir

Abraham Initiatives data show homicides among indigenous Palestinian Arab citizens more than doubled in 2023, the first full year under far-right Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir.

Ben Gvir, previously convicted for supporting terrorism and inciting anti-Arab racism, denies responsibility, blaming local Arab leaders. Critics note that he cut funding for the anti-crime initiative “Stop the Bleeding,” removed the lead police officer overseeing the indigenous Palestinian Arab community crime, and replaced them with a lower-ranking official.

Minister Defends Record

Ben Gvir defended his tenure on Kan Reshet Bet radio, highlighting successes while citing “40 years of neglect” and a feud with the Attorney General for the current surge in crime.