Israeli Government Faces Criticism for Assigning Shin Bet to Combat Crime in Arab Communities
Crime in Israel's Arab society has escalated into a severe civil tragedy, with nearly a thousand murders since the current government took office. Organized crime groups have taken control of entire towns, instilling daily fear among families. Despite repeated failures by the state to protect its citizens, the government's emerging decision to assign the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) a central role in fighting crime within Arab communities has sparked significant concern.
The article argues that crime, while brutal and deadly, remains a criminal issue driven by motives like money and power, unlike terrorism which pursues political or ideological goals. Therefore, framing crime in Arab society as a security threat to be handled by the Shin Bet is not merely a policing strategy but a fundamental redefinition of the status of Palestinian citizens of Israel, from citizens the state must protect to a population it seeks to defend itself against.
Since the October 2000 events, Israeli governments have aimed to shift their approach to Arab citizens from a security perspective to a civil one, investing in infrastructure, education, employment, and crime reduction programs. Introducing the Shin Bet into crime fighting reverses this progress, returning relations to a security prism and undermining the concept of citizenship for Arab Israelis.
Supporters of the move cite the police's difficulties in effectively combating crime and the Shin Bet's unique tools. However, critics highlight that the Shin Bet's legal mandate is counterterrorism and state security, not organized crime, and that blurring the lines between police and security services threatens democratic principles. The article calls for transparency if the government intends to change the Shin Bet's role, including legal amendments and clarifications on jurisdiction, especially regarding crimes involving both Jewish and Arab suspects.
Practically, the involvement of the Shin Bet risks eroding the already fragile trust Arab citizens have in law enforcement, as the agency operates covertly and with suspicion rather than partnership. The article warns that this shift could be the most dramatic and damaging change to the status of Arab citizens since the 2018 Nation-State Law, effectively treating them as internal enemies rather than citizens. While defeating organized crime is imperative, conflating criminals with enemies could result in a Pyrrhic victory for Israel.
The author, co-CEO of the Abraham Initiatives, emphasizes the need to maintain the distinction between criminality and security threats to preserve democratic values and the citizenship rights of Palestinian Israelis.
