The past few months have seen several significant developments in police-Arab relations in Israel. In April, Israel Police received cabinet approval for a new, multi-billion shekel division dedicated to policing in Arab communities. Shortly after the plan’s approval, a violent crime wave in Arab localities peaked with five murders in April alone. On top of calls for an effective response from police, Arab leaders called for internal responsibility, action and cooperation with law enforcement.
Historically, the relationship between police and Arab citizens has been fraught. This is because along with community policing, Israel police are also responsible for internal state security and in this regard Arab citizens have all too often been perceived as a threat. Arab citizens in turn “primarily view the police as a security force that has long neglected the community’s real needs.”
In April, when the cabinet approved plans for a new, multi-billion shekel division dedicated to policing in Arab communities, it was received with mixed response in Arab society. Though the plan includes an increased police presence in Arab localities, recruitment of more Arab police officers, and a commitment to address law enforcement needs in Arab society, it was first announced by PM Netanyahu following a shooting attack in Tel Aviv. Along with a history of mistrust, this added concerns the plan aimed to suppress and contain crime to Arab localities rather than working with Arab citizens in resolving it.
Officer Jamal Harkush, whose promotion to Deputy Commissioner to head the department made him the highest-ranking Arab Muslim on the force, said about the role, “I see my role first and foremost as changing the perception of the police in Arab society.”
In parallel, shortly after the plan’s approval, a violent crime wave in Arab localities peaked with five murders in April alone, prompting impassioned pleas from Arab leaders for an immediate and effective response from the police to combat crime, improve investigations, and reduce illegal weapons.
Beyond these demands, Arab leadership also made calls for internal responsibility and action. MKs from the Joint List issued a call for all Arab leadership participate proactively with the police in in curtailing illegal firearms and crime in general – a call that Amnon Be’eri Sulitzeanu, Co-Director of The Abraham Fund Initiatives, called ‘unprecedented’ and a ‘breakthrough’ in approach.
In a similar groundbreaking gesture, The Follow-Up Committee, an extra-parliamentary body tasked with representing Arab citizens at the national level, formally reached out to the Chief of Police Roni Alsheikh for an emergency meeting to discuss immediate cooperation. Chief Alsheikh set a historic precedent as well by accepting the invitation, since the Follow-Up Committee lacks official recognition from the state; the meeting was held on May 3rd.
*The Abraham Fund Initiatives have been promoting and working towards equitable policing in Israel for close to a decade.
Conference Call:
IATF Conference Call: Law Enforcement in Arab Localities – 04.21.16
Additional Reading:
Four months, 20 people murdered – chaos in Arab society – YNET – Hassan Sha’alan – 05.01.16 (Hebrew)
Five Dead After Violence in Israeli-Arab Community – Haaretz – Jack Khoury – 05.02.16
Zoabi Rejects Police Plan for Arab Sector – The Jerusalem Post – Ariel Ben Solomon – 05.04.16
1,165 Arab citizens murdered since 2000 – Arutz Sheva – Hezki Baruch – 6.29.16