Joint List Leader Jabareen Criticizes Israeli Government's Use of Shin Bet Against Arab Crime

Yousef Jabareen, chairman of the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (Hadash), sharply criticized the Israeli government's recent decision to assign the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) to combat crime within the Arab community. He described the move as an admission of failure by both the government and the police to protect citizens and ensure their personal security. Jabareen warned that this shift from a criminal justice approach to a security agency intervention sets a dangerous precedent and may conceal the real culprits behind the ongoing crime issues.

Jabareen argued that the rise in crime in Arab society is not due to a lack of police powers or resources but stems from long-standing discriminatory policies and government neglect in addressing organized crime and illegal weapons. He emphasized that true security comes not from expanding security agencies' authority but through investments in education, development, and local authorities, alongside the police fulfilling their full responsibilities in fighting crime.

He stressed that the state already possesses all necessary tools and powers to tackle organized crime but lacks the political will to enforce police accountability and end policies of discrimination and exclusion. Jabareen's statement reflects deep concerns about the implications of involving the Shin Bet in internal community policing and highlights the need for political decisions to address root causes rather than securitize social issues.