Israel’s ‘two-tier’ policing and the crime epidemic in Palestinian towns | Benjamin Netanyahu News
Israel’s National Security Minister Declares ‘Total War’ on Youth Violence Amid Rising Concerns
JERUSALEM—Following last week’s killing of 21-year-old former Israeli soldier Yemanu Binyamin Zalka, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir announced a national operation targeting escalating youth violence. In a public statement, Ben-Gvir asserted, “This will be a total war,” vowing to restore security and peace of mind for parents, emphasizing that those who harm Israeli civilians will face stringent consequences from law enforcement.
However, critics have pointed out a stark contrast between Ben-Gvir’s robust response to violence against Jewish citizens and his perceived inaction regarding the ongoing violence in Palestinian communities. This rise in violence has reportedly resulted in nearly 100 deaths and an estimated annual cost of up to $6.7 billion to the Israeli economy, according to the Israeli Finance Ministry.
Allegations of a two-tiered policing system, particularly detrimental to the “Arab sector,” have persisted for decades. Critics argue that the situation has deteriorated under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration, which returned to power in late 2022, alongside Ben-Gvir, a figure associated with far-right politics. Statistics reveal a troubling trend: the murder rate in Palestinian communities surged from 4.9 per 100,000 in 2020 to 11 per 100,000, comparable to some of the most violent regions globally. In stark contrast, the murder rate in Jewish society stands at approximately 0.6 per 100,000.
While previous governments, including Netanyahu’s administration in 2020, also faced challenges related to crime, opponents contend that the presence of figures like Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who exhibit disdain toward Palestinians, has exacerbated the situation. Analysts argue that the Netanyahu government bears responsibility for this increase in violence.
Aida Touma-Suleiman, a Palestinian lawmaker from the Hadash party, criticized the police’s failure to provide adequate services to Arab neighborhoods. “It’s about enforcement. It’s hostile,” she noted, emphasizing the stark contrast in police presence between Jewish and Palestinian areas. While Jewish-majority areas have numerous police stations, Palestinian communities host only about 10.
Recent government decisions, including a $68.5 million cut to economic development programs for Palestinian communities to fund policing, have sparked outrage among advocacy groups. Critics acknowledge the need for increased funding for law enforcement but contend that diverting resources from initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of crime, such as housing and economic development, is counterproductive.
Approximately 21% of Israel’s population consists of Palestinian citizens, who are often marginalized economically. These individuals are predominantly descendants of Palestinians who remained in the region following the 1948 establishment of Israel, an event they refer to as the Nakba. Chronic underinvestment in Palestinian communities contributes to long-standing joblessness, a situation exacerbated by restricted access to the occupied West Bank—particularly following the conflict that erupted after the October 7 attacks on Israel.
According to recent figures, 37.6% of Palestinian households in Israel live below the poverty line. As local criminal networks have grown in scale and influence, some communities are reportedly facing mafia-style governance with little state intervention. Experts assert that the government appears complicit in allowing violence to persist, using it to categorize the issues in Arab societies.
Ben-Gvir has previously denied accusations of racism and insists that his focus is exclusively on those who harm Jews. Nonetheless, his controversial actions and rhetoric have drawn widespread criticism, from both liberal segments of Israeli society and international observers.
As crime rates rise, scrutiny of Ben-Gvir’s performance has intensified. Critics now include voices from within Israel’s establishment, highlighting a growing chorus questioning the national security minister’s commitment to maintaining order for all citizens. Recent interventions from Israel’s High Court have called for reconciliation between Ben-Gvir and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, amid concerns over his actions which some allege interfere with police operations.
Political analyst Ori Goldberg commented, “Nobody cares if Ben-Gvir’s good at his job. He’s there to punish Palestinians, through a lack of security and hostile planning.”
