In 2025, 252 Arab citizens of Israel were murdered—the deadliest year on record. Arabs make up roughly 21 percent of the population yet accounted for 241 of the country’s 309 homicide victims. The homicide rate in Arab society reached about 11.1 per 100,000, compared to under 1.0 among Jews. More than 85 percent of these killings involved firearms and grew out of clan disputes and organized crime.

Currently, Israeli police are only solving 15 percent of Arab homicides, versus 65 percent in Jewish communities. These numbers, from Knesset data, Taub Center analysis, and Abraham Initiatives tracking, show a clear failure to extend the state’s protection equally.

The government has used tools that worked when applied steadily. Multi-year plans put billions into special police units, better coordination, and safe-city programs in mixed towns. Operation Safe Track brought real gains: more extortion indictments, hundreds of weapons seized, financial networks shut down, and fewer killings while the effort lasted.

New laws allowing judges to restrict suspected crime figures, and proposals for stronger intelligence........

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