Israeli Government Approves Shin Bet Involvement in Arab Sector Crime Fight

The Israeli government approved a new plan on Wednesday to involve the Shin Bet security service in combating crime within the Arab sector. The initiative, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and May Golan, allocates approximately 500 million shekels from the five-year plan for the Arab community. This approval comes at the end of the current government's term, following years of rising murder rates in the Arab sector.

Under the plan, around 364.5 million shekels will be dedicated to establishing a specialized Shin Bet unit focused on preventing arms smuggling and trafficking, as well as enhancing intelligence and operational capabilities. Additionally, about 132.4 million shekels will be allocated to the police to create a national unit targeting crime in the Arab community, including the development of advanced technological systems and operational equipment.

The program also includes the addition of 130 new Shin Bet personnel positions starting this year, alongside a permanent annual budget increase of 35 million shekels. The government statement emphasized the strategic importance of these measures in addressing the ongoing security challenges in the Arab sector.