Retired Israeli Police Commander Calls Triple Murder a 'Cruel Assassination' Meant to Send a Message

A retired Israeli Police Commander, Moti Adar'i, has described the recent triple murder in Baqa al-Gharbiyya as a "cruel assassination" intended to send a message, reigniting criticism of the police's handling of crime in the Arab community. In an interview with "Maariv," Adar'i argued that while the police are active, a change in troop deployment and operational methods is necessary.

Adar'i explained that investigations into murders within the Arab community are particularly challenging due to a lack of cooperation, likening the process to "arriving at virgin territory and starting from scratch." He contrasted this with the Jewish community, where he stated investigations are often easier to solve because of witness cooperation and available evidence.

However, Adar'i distinguished the current wave of murders from past patterns of organized crime in central Israel, noting that the dramatic car bombings of previous years are less common now. He stressed that regardless of the method, "murder is murder" and the current situation is "not good, to put it mildly."

Regarding the police's approach, Adar'i believes a shift in operational philosophy is needed, stating, "A police station sign doesn't reduce crime, police presence outside reduces crime." He advocated for a different deployment strategy, treating "operations as routine and routine as operations."