2 killed within hours in Arab communities, bringing year’s toll to 41
Idris Odeh, connected to notorious crime family, shot dead by gunman who may have filmed assault; son of Nazareth’s deputy mayor gunned down in suspected criminal dispute
A 28-year-old man was gunned down on Wednesday in an apparent underworld slaying in the Israeli-Arab town of Jaljulia in the country’s center.
Idris Odeh was shot at close range by multiple masked gunmen, who filmed the killing before fleeing the town, the Haaretz daily reported.
Police were called to the scene of a shooting at 5:51 p.m., where they found Odeh wounded and lying in the middle of the road.
He was transported to Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba in critical condition, but could not be saved.
Police said they were investigating the incident and pursuing suspects.
Odeh, who previously served a prison sentence for a 2009 murder, is thought to be connected to the crime organization headed by suspected underworld figure Cottier Odeh.
Cottier Odeh is currently serving an 18-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to a series of violent crimes, though he did not plead guilty to leading a criminal organization.
Hours after that shooting, a 25-year-old was shot to death in the northern city of Nazareth in the early hours of Thursday morning.
The fatality was identified in Hebrew media reports as Rouad Awaisy, the son of Nazareth’s deputy mayor.
The killing was suspected to be linked to a feud between crime families.
Police were searching the area for suspects and investigating the circumstances of the shooting.
According to the anti-violence campaign group the Abraham Initiatives, 41 Arabs have been killed by violence and crime since the start of the year.
Arab communities have seen a rising wave of violence in recent years. Many blame 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.
