Yair Golan Launches $1 Billion Plan to Combat Crime in Arab Society, Seeks Interior Ministry Role

At a Democratic Party event in Nazareth on August 10, 2026, Yair Golan unveiled a comprehensive emergency plan to fight crime in Israel's Arab community. The party highlighted that during the current government’s term, 889 people, including 49 children, were murdered in this sector. Golan emphasized the urgency of the issue and announced his intention to demand the Interior Ministry portfolio in the next government to lead this initiative.

The plan includes establishing a weekly crime cabinet and a special national task force within the first week of the new government. It proposes recruiting 5% of elite personnel from the police, Shin Bet, IDF, and Prison Service to operate from a dedicated command center. The program aims to shorten the criminal process for serious offenses to nine months, create specialized courts, and introduce tougher legislation with minimum sentences and biometric measures.

An economic front targets organized crime funding through a new "Tzelzel - Crime" unit, which will collaborate with the Finance Ministry, Bank of Israel, Shin Bet, Mossad, and international bodies. Golan displayed weapons reportedly used by crime groups, including M16s, Uzis, Kalashnikovs, MAG machine guns, and LAW missiles, warning that between 100,000 and nearly 500,000 such arms are in criminal hands.

Democratic Party MK Naama Lazimi stressed the importance of coexistence and inclusion of the Arab community in rebuilding a democratic Israel, rejecting government racism. MK Gilad Kariv criticized Netanyahu for labeling 20% of Israel’s population as enemies and pledged to pursue Jewish-Arab political partnership as a core value.

The plan represents the most ambitious effort yet by the Democratic Party to combat crime in Arab society and promote equality and cooperation within Israel’s diverse population.