President Isaac Herzog met with community leaders in Sakhnin on Thursday in response to rising violence within Arab society in Israel, where 250 citizens have been murdered in 2025 alone, with over 15 deaths occurring since the beginning of January.
Herzog Addresses Violence in Arab Society
Herzog described the number of deaths as “shocking” and “an unacceptable situation,” emphasizing that combating crime and violence in Arab society must be a national priority. He called for an end to infighting between authorities and ministries, advocating for a collaborative approach through legislation, enforcement, and all necessary resources to prevent further tragedies.
“This is a national mission. It is also a moral obligation. We must erase this stain from the face of Israeli society,” Herzog stated.
During his visit, Herzog stopped by a supermarket owned by Ali Zubeidat, founder of a protest movement against crime affecting Arab communities. He also spoke with Qasem Awad, the father of Dr. Abdallah Awad, who was murdered in February 2025 while working at a clinic in Kfar Yasif.
“I stand here alongside a bereaved father, whose son, Dr. Abdallah, was murdered while doing the most noble thing of treating his patients, including a mother and her two children,” Herzog said. “This was a criminal and incomprehensible act. To you, dear Qasem, and to the public, I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and tell them: you are not alone. The State of Israel cares. Your pain is the pain of an entire nation.”
Awad emphasized that Arab Israeli citizens are an integral part of the state of Israel, stating, “We are an inseparable part of the State of Israel, and we will never give that up. But the state and the government have a basic obligation toward us to protect our security. We are law-abiding citizens who want to live in peace, with dignity and security.”
He added, “We do not want weapons, we do not want violence, and we do not want revenge. The responsibility to address crime and eradicate violence lies with the State of Israel. The closer we get, the more we discover how similar we are and how shared our desire is to live, to study, and to raise children in safety.”
2025 Named Deadliest Year on Record
According to a December report by the Abraham Initiatives, 2025 has been the deadliest year on record for Arab society in Israel. The report indicated that violence has become a persistent issue for Arab Israelis, with 252 murders occurring in 218 incidents of violence and crime, compared to 230 murders in 2024. Approximately 88% of the victims died from gunshot wounds, and over 72% were between the ages of 18 and 40, with more than half between 18 and 30.
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