Shin Bet Set to Tackle Crime in Arab Society After Budget Approval

The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) is expected to begin addressing crime within the Arab community following a recent budget approval. The agency requested a budget of one billion shekels to effectively combat crime in this sector. This decision marks a significant shift from the Shin Bet's previous stance, which opposed involvement in criminal matters due to concerns over a "slippery slope" and the risk of exposing sensitive technological capabilities.

A budget meeting held this week included the Government Secretary, officials from the National Security Ministry, and Shin Bet representatives. They reached a preliminary agreement to allocate the requested funds to the agency. The final approval now awaits the Prime Minister's endorsement.

About three years ago, amid rising violence in the Arab community, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed determination to involve the Shin Bet as a supporting force to the Israel Police. Despite this, the Shin Bet had reservations about the move, fearing it could undermine counterterrorism efforts and reveal classified technologies. The agency has not publicly commented on the closed-door discussions.

If approved, this initiative will mark a new chapter in Israel's approach to crime prevention within the Arab sector, potentially expanding the Shin Bet's operational scope beyond its traditional counterterrorism role.