Arab party says stop and frisk law targets Arabs

The Joint (Arab) List blasts a new law that grants police sweeping authority to stop and frisk, claiming that it is “racist” and designed to target members of minority communities in Israel.

“The essence of the law, which assumes the mantle of defending security and preventing violence, infringes on basic individual rights and gives police free rein,” the far-left party says in a statement. “This is a step that targets Arab citizens and any individual who resembles them physically.”

The statement also claims that the law, which was approved late Monday, will provide “legal protection for sexual harassment against women.” It’s a dig at an Israel Police that has seen many very senior officers step down in recent years amid revelations of sexual harassment and misconduct.