Man shot dead in Umm al-Fahm, raising 2023 toll in Arab towns to 43

A man was shot to death in the northern northern city of Umm al-Fahm on Sunday, amid a spate of violent incidents plaguing the Arab community

First responders said Kamal Mahamid, 63, was critically injured and brought to the Emek Medical Center in Afula, where he was declared dead.

Police opened an investigation into the incident.

The incident came a day after a 38-year-old man was shot dead in the central Arab town of Jaljulia, the second killing in that town within three days.

According to the anti-violence campaign group the Abraham Initiatives, 43 Arab Israelis 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, whom 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.