Soroka Hospital Launches Initiative to Break Cycle of Violence in Arab Community
Dr. Husni Alkaranrawi, head of surgical emergency services at Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, describes the daily reality of gun violence in the Arab community as more than just statistics. Living in Rahat, he personally experiences the fear as shootings occur frequently, prompting him to check on his children’s safety. The cycle of crime and revenge has expanded beyond direct participants, putting many innocent people at risk.
Recent data from the Knesset Research and Information Center reveals that over 1,200 Arab patients were hospitalized last year due to violence-related injuries, four times the rate among the Jewish population. Soroka, serving much of southern Israel, treats around 190,000 patients annually, with hundreds of shooting victims arriving each year. Prof. Dan Schwartzpuchs, Soroka’s deputy director, notes a steady rise in such cases, including a recent incident involving a 12-year-old boy shot by a bullet.
In response, Soroka’s social work department has initiated a pilot program aimed at connecting hospital care with welfare and law enforcement systems to address the root causes of violence. Social worker Guy Barkan explains that when shooting victims arrive, social workers offer support and, with consent, refer them to local welfare services in Rahat. The program, inspired by a similar 20-year-old model in the U.S., seeks to prevent retaliation by providing emotional and psychological support.
The initiative, part of the government’s plan to combat crime in the Arab sector, recently earned Barkan a social work award. Prosecutor Adv. Adva Weitzgan Levi highlights the program’s goal to restore trust in public institutions, noting that many Arab citizens equate welfare with police and avoid reporting crimes. Law enforcement also participates by coordinating immediate conflict de-escalation efforts.
Despite initial skepticism from hospital staff, the pilot has engaged about 50 patients so far, with hopes to expand to other hospitals through the "Ma’ana" project led by the nonprofit organization Ma’oz. Barkan emphasizes the shared responsibility of Jewish and Arab communities to address the violence, stating, "Those who shoot each other are our colleagues who could be victims tomorrow." The program aims to offer alternatives to taking the law into one’s own hands and reduce repeat violent incidents.
