Arab residents of Tamra go on strike in response to shooting near local school

Arab residents of Tamra are on strike today after a shooting near an elementary school rocked the northern city at the start of the week.

Business owners have shuttered their shops and schools will remain closed for the day as part of the local general strike, which occurs as a growing number of Arab citizens take to the streets and demand police curb violent crime in their communities.

On Sunday, a man shot at a car passing the al-Biruni school in Tamra, alarming students and teachers. Hours later, worried parents marched with their children from the school to the local police station.

Later today, residents will stage another march, this time from a local mosque to the al-Biruni school, a resident tells The Times of Israel.

The violent crime plaguing the Arab sector has reached new heights in recent weeks, claiming a total of 21 victims within less than a month. Last year was the deadliest on record for Arab society, with 252 people killed in crime-related incidents.

Since last week, daily protests have been taking place in Arab locales across northern and central Israel over the spread of violent crime. A mass rally is scheduled to take place Saturday in Tel Aviv.

The homicide rate in Arab society doubled in 2023, coinciding with the start of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s tenure, and has continued apace since.