Prominent Arab-Israeli social activist shot and killed in her car in Tira, central Israel

A 40-year-old woman was shot dead while in her car in the central Arab city of Tira earlier tonight, police and paramedics say.

Local Arabic-language outlets name the victim as Susan Abdelqader Bishara, a well-known social activist and mother to three children. She had previously run as a candidate in the city’s municipal elections.

Bishara was also a long-time member of the joint Arab-Jewish coexistence movement, Women Wage Peace.

“We are speechless and unable to describe the magnitude of the tragedy and pain,” the coexistence group says in a statement, calling Bishara’s murder “a direct result of the neglectful policies of the police and the Minister of National Security.”

Since the start of the year, 84 Arab Israelis have been killed in violent criminal incidents, including seven residents of Tira.

Many community leaders and politicians blame the spiraling homicide rate on police negligence, citing law enforcement’s failure to solve most Arab sector murder cases.

Earlier today, Tira residents staged a protest outside a police station in nearby Kfar Saba, demanding law enforcement take bolder steps to fight violent crime in Arab society, local media reports.

Protesters held signs in Hebrew and Arabic that read, “Tira blames the government,” “It’s not a mistake, it’s policy” and “Enough with crime, enough with killing.”

وقفة احتجاجية في مدينة الطيرة تنديدًا بتفشي العنف والجريمة في أراضي48. pic.twitter.com/yqiVI3rXBu

— الجرمق الإخباري (@aljarmaqnet) April 29, 2025

Police say they have opened an investigation into tonight’s incident. They have not yet arrested any suspects in connection with the crime.

Paramedics found Bishara in critical condition and transported her to Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba. She was pronounced dead by doctors soon after reaching the hospital.