"Dealing with crime in the Arab sector - a strong hand, a cooperating hand, cooperation and legislation":
The Institute for National Security Studies, Tel Aviv University, is holding a conference today (Tuesday) on the fight against crime in Arab society.
The conference was attended by the Minister of Internal Security, Amar Bar-Lev, the Minister for Regional Cooperation, Issawi Frij, Chairman of the Prime Minister, MK Dr. Mansour Abbas, Superintendent Jamal Khachrush, Head of the Israel Police Division and senior officials Additional from the sector and enforcement and security agencies.
Minister Bar-Lev listed the latest changes in the import of Airsoft rifles into the country, the bill to impose minimum penalties on those who hold illegal weapons and the update of the law enforcement and search powers that passed yesterday in the Ministerial Committee.
The Minister also revealed the planned changes in the Guard Companies Law and said that "today the whole issue of 'guard companies' is the responsibility of the Ministry of Justice, which gives the approvals and monitors, and it is known that protection is done through these guard companies. "And to add legislative updates that make it possible to come to the same security company and, according to certain principles, also file indictments against them."
MK Mansour Abbas on eradicating crime in the sector: "Empowering the Israel Police" // Photo: Shmuel Buharis
The minister added that "our response to crime on the Arab street is based on four components: a strong hand, a cooperating hand, cooperation between ministries and legislation. The activity of the crime families. The participating hand is prevention activities, in which the Ministry of Internal Security, the Israel Police and the Community Security Authority will work to develop community infrastructure and create the necessary connections to strengthen public trust. "Legislation intended to address the gaps that exist in the law book of the State of Israel, under the auspices of which criminals operate without a real fear of punishment."
He added that "this is an important move in the fight against the phenomenon of protection, the move includes three key elements: First, the transfer of the entire treatment to the BTP.
Second, the aggravation of criminal punishment for violating the provisions of the law regulating the operation of security companies, including action without licensing or violation of licensing conditions.
Third, creating a legal option to confiscate property obtained while committing an offense under the Guard Companies Act. "
Minister of Internal Security Bar-Lev (Archive), Photo: Oren Ben Hakon
The Minister for Regional Cooperation, Issawi Frij, said at the conference that "the Arab minority did not take part in the Israeli melting pot, so now the solution is partnership and integration. It is time for the State of Israel to strategically decide to absorb the Arab population." "Potential immigrants are waiting. Once the state makes the decision, we will find the solutions. But we must accept that the Arab citizen is not a security problem."
He added: "The problem of Arab society is not crime. If we focus only on the fight against crime, we will miss the mark. In Arab society there is a horizontal anarchy in all areas of life that has been created for decades. The state pushed for forgiveness and not for real solutions."
The Minister for Regional Cooperation, Issawi Farage, Photo: Gideon Markowitz
The chairman of Ra'am, MK Dr. Mansour Abbas, addressed Minister Bar-Lev, who was sitting in the audience, and said that the Israel Police must continue to be strengthened: "From my understanding, the Israel Police needs more and more backup and resources. "It will meet its real needs, both in the context of eradicating crime and violence, but also in the general context that affects its presence and its ability to deter.
He added: "The event is not just about crime and violence in Arab society. The event is about the state of Arab society in the context of the state itself and of Israeli and Jewish society in general. We lead a very broad process that builds it on two foundations: one, civil partnership. We can "We will discuss the issues of the Arab-Israeli-Jewish conflict and this connection between the citizens and the state for many years to come, and we can also approach and try to promote a model in reality itself and remove barriers so that people will want to exercise their citizenship."
MK Mansour Abbas and Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. "This is a huge opportunity to build a new Arab-Jewish relationship," Photo: Oren Ben Hakon
He concluded: "I think this crisis is an opportunity in itself. If the state with all its institutions and Israeli society, especially Israelis, knew how to seize the opportunity to reach out, this is a huge opportunity to build a new Arab-Jewish relationship and woe to us if we miss it."
Superintendent Jamal Khachrush, head of the CIF branch in the Israel Police, said that "this Arab street is either a strong police force or a strong crime scene - and the choice is clear.
I call on the Arab public: demand a large and strong police force, do not oppose it.
I, under threats and in the shadow of the demonstrations, brought police stations into the Arab localities.
We are on the right path and it is good that the decision-makers in the country, led by our minister, support us and we get 800 plus 300 policemen: this is an amount that has never been seen before.
At the same time, it is not enough - the Israeli police must be doubled and tripled. "
It is a disease that will not skip any locality.
It spreads.
I am in favor of the military's partnership in our war on Arab crime - we seize dozens of weapons, see it every week.
I want the army to close the borders, the bases, not to spill weapons into the streets.
It's a reservoir that needs to be dried before we can do our job. "
Superintendent Khachrush added: "Nearly 40% of our young people, I live in the village and see it, their day is turned upside down - sleeping day and night in the streets. It is a ticking time bomb for every decision-maker in the country. Cities where 44% of young people between the ages of 18-25 are unemployed. "