244 members of the Arab community said killed in 2023 violence, more than double last year’s toll

The year 2023 saw 244 members of the Arab community killed in violence, the Abraham Initiatives anti-violence watchdog says.

The figure is more than double the number killed last year.

Many Arab Israeli community leaders put the blame on the police, who they say have failed to crack down on powerful criminal organizations and largely ignore the violence, which includes family feuds, mafia turf wars, and violence against women. The communities have also suffered from years of neglect by state authorities.

Authorities have blamed burgeoning organized crime and the proliferation of weaponry, while some have pointed to a failure by communities to cooperate with law enforcement to root out criminals.

In September, State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman decried as inadequate the government’s response to surging criminal violence in Arab Israeli towns.

“The jump in crime in the Arab community represents a resounding failure of Israeli governments,” Englman said during a conference in the northern town of Sakhnin, calling the situation “inconceivable.”

“The prime minister, national security minister and all ministers must act to eradicate crime in Arab society,” he added.