Israel’s Coastal Police Chief Details Challenges Fighting Crime in Arab Communities

Yechiel Bohadana, commander of Israel’s Coastal Police District, spoke exclusively to N12 magazine about the severe challenges his force faces combating violent crime in Arab communities, particularly in places like Umm al-Fahm. He described a disturbing pattern where local residents actively hinder investigations by washing away blood, dismantling surveillance cameras, and destroying forensic evidence at crime scenes before police arrive. Bohadana called this a deliberate, organized effort to obstruct justice.

The Coastal District, covering from Hadera to Shlomi and including cities such as Umm al-Fahm, Jisr az-Zarqa, and Haifa, is one of Israel’s most complex policing areas due to rampant clan feuds, organized crime, and a high murder rate. Since the start of the year, 152 people have been killed in the Arab sector alone, with 16 murders in just one recent week. Bohadana emphasized that despite some improvements in case clearance rates, the police start investigations at a severe disadvantage because of evidence tampering and witness silence.

Bohadana criticized the judicial system for granting short detention periods to suspects, which he said undermines complex murder investigations. He also highlighted the need for advanced technological tools to combat criminals who use encrypted communications and clean phones, tools that the police currently lack due to legal restrictions. While the Shin Bet’s potential involvement in crime fighting was mentioned, Bohadana stressed that frontline enforcement remains the police’s responsibility.

Reflecting on his 35-year career, Bohadana recounted the emotional trauma of the October 7, 2023 attacks, when he managed operational responses in Tel Aviv while hearing about the deaths of colleagues in the south. He also addressed accusations of politicization within the police, affirming that the force operates under the chief commissioner and remains apolitical.

Bohadana called for a national effort involving government ministries, local authorities, the judiciary, and law enforcement to aggressively cut off criminal funding and strengthen enforcement. He outlined plans to expand tactical units and improve operational capabilities in the Coastal District. Despite the difficulties, he expressed optimism that with determination and cooperation, significant progress can be made in reducing violent crime and restoring public trust in the police.