Man shot dead in Nazareth, the 108th Arab murder victim this year

A 33-year-old man was shot dead in a car in the northern city of Nazareth, police said Wednesday morning.

A second man who was with him was wounded in the shooting and was hospitalized in moderate condition, police said.

Police said that an investigation was underway and forces were being assisted by a helicopter team in the hunt for suspects. No arrests were immediately made.

Police speculated that the shooting could have been part of a dispute between criminals, but no further details were given.

A dashcam video circulating on social media appeared to show the gunman firing nine shots into the vehicle.

The deceased’s identity was not publicly released.

יורד מהמכונית, יורה ובורח: תיעוד הרצח בנצרת
(אורלי אלקלעי) pic.twitter.com/hgI6yIVtKG

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) December 14, 2022

The murder in Nazareth brings to 108 the number of members of the Arab community killed in violent incidents since the start of 2022, according to the Abraham Initiatives watchdog, which tracks violence. Of the victims, 104 were citizens of Israel.

Separately overnight, police arrested a 41-year-old man from the village of Julis in northern Israel on suspicion that he opened fire at the home of a contractor and attempted to set fire to construction vehicles owned by a second contractor from the village.

Two construction vehicles that were set fire to in the village of Julis in northern Israel, Dec 14. 2022. (Photo: Israel Police)

Both incidents resulted in damage to property, but no injuries.

Arab communities have seen a surge in 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.