Czar to counter Israeli Arab violence panned as ‘too little, too late’

Published: 5 February 2021

Last updated: 4 March 2024

Decision seen as election ploy to court Arab vote which won’t address criminal violence by Arab gangs against the wider Arab community, with police too passive

PM reveals plan to fight Arab society violence; panned as ‘too little, too late’ (Times of Israel)
Long-promised initiative comes as he courts Arab vote ahead of elections; also criticised for choice of ex-cop as czar to fight community crime, who once called Arabs ‘ungrateful’

PM appoints ex-prison chief as czar to counter violence in Arab sector (Ynet)
Appointment of Aharon Franko causes a stir among Arab MKs due to remarks made in 2009, when he called the Arab community 'ungrateful'; PM says criminality in the sector should be treated as 'terrorism'

EDITORIAL: Israeli Arabs are being killed in droves (Haaretz)

After student killed, Arabs say community caught between police and criminals (Times of Israel)
Arab Israelis have been urging increased law enforcement to fight organised crime, but an innocent bystander’s slaying in an ambush gone awry underscores why many are mistrustful

Photo: Thousands attend the funeral of 22-year-old nursing student Ahmad Hijazi near the Arab city of Tamra, northern Israel, February 2 (Sraya Diamant/Flash90)