Or Yarok: 139 Arab Citizens Die in Road Accidents Since Start of 2026
Translated & summarized from Alarab by baba
The Or Yarok Association reported that 139 Arab citizens have died in road accidents since the start of 2026, a 15% increase from the previous year. This represents 39% of the total 355 road fatalities nationwide, despite Arab citizens being only 20% of the population. The majority of these deaths occurred on inter-city roads, with electric scooters being a significant concern. Or Yarok's Director General called for urgent government action to address the issue.
The story in 7 lines · by baba
- 139 Arab citizens have died in road accidents since the start of 2026, according to Or Yarok.
- This figure represents a 15% increase in fatalities compared to the same period last year.
- Arab citizens, 20% of the population, now account for 39% of the 355 total road deaths.
- 17 children under 14 and 53 young people aged 15-24 were among the victims.
- Electric scooter accidents have claimed five lives, including three underage riders.
- Most fatal accidents, 99, occurred on inter-city roads.
- Or Yarok's Director General blamed the Ministry of Transportation for neglect and called for a national plan.
New data released by the Or Yarok Association reveals a concerning rise in road accident fatalities within the Arab community. Since the beginning of 2026, 139 individuals have died, marking a 15% increase compared to the same period last year. Arab citizens, who constitute approximately 20% of the population, now account for 39% of the total 355 road accident deaths nationwide this year.
The detailed statistics show that 17 children under 14 and 53 young people aged 15-24 were among the deceased. A particularly alarming trend involves electric scooter accidents, which have claimed five lives, including three children aged 10-14, an age group legally prohibited from riding such vehicles. Other fatalities include 64 individuals in private vehicles, 26 motorcyclists, 22 pedestrians, and 15 in accidents involving heavy vehicles.
Furthermore, the data indicates that the vast majority of fatal accidents, 99 in total, occurred on inter-city roads. In response to these figures, Or Yarok Association Director General Yaniv Yaakov stated, "The Arab community is paying the price for the neglect of the Ministry of Transportation and Road Safety." He urged the government and the incoming transportation minister to "change the order of priorities and approve a multi-year national plan that places saving lives in the Arab community at the top of the list to prevent further grief and pain for families."
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