Netanyahu vows to crack down on crime in Arab community, as with terrorism

In an online conference call with Arab mayors and local leaders, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vows to crack down on crime in the Arab community in the same way that Israel cracks down on terrorism.

In the Zoom call, which is boycotted by some local leaders who say it is merely a publicity stunt as part of the premier’s election campaign, Netanyahu also promises more state resources, nine new police stations, and personal meetings with mayors.

“We are embarking on a national mission,” Netanyahu says. “I plan to present a wide scale and long-term action plan in the coming days. The Arab public is prepared to treat and eliminate crime and violence, and I view it as a threat to us all.”

Mudar Younis, chairman of the National Committee of ​the Heads of the Arab Local Authorities in Israel, says many local councils believe that “even if the prime minister says violence must be defeated, we don’t see that in the field.”

He calls for a higher budget and sends a decision is needed that will trickle down to cops in the field.