TAMRA, July 10, 2026 (WAFA) – Hundreds of Palestinian citizens of Israel protested on Friday against the Israeli authorities’ failure to tackle rampant crimes in Tamra city in northern Israel.
Hundreds took to the streets in the city, marching to the police station, carrying banners condemning the widespread proliferation of firearms and the Israeli police's inaction, while calling for serious measures to curb crime and ensure security for Palestinian citizens of Israel.
Participants stressed that Tuesday’s killing of 34-year-old Yasser Abu Al-Hija in the city marks yet another tragedy, asserting that the Israeli police are either unable or unwilling to provide protection. They said this reality compels the community to seek ways to protect itself and strengthen its security.
This brings the total number of Palestinian citizens of Israel killed since the beginning of 2026 to approximately 147, including at least three killed by Israeli police fire, five women, and three minors under the age of 18.
The surge in the number follows a record year in 2025, when 252 people were killed in 218 separate incidents, according to the Abraham Initiatives, a non-governmental organization that monitors violence among Palestinian citizens of Israel.
Palestinian citizens of Israel have organized a series of protests in predominantly Palestinian towns and villages against rising violent crimes affecting them and accusing Israeli police of complicity and failure to protect their communities.
The number of deaths has increased roughly fourfold over the past decade.
Palestinians say their demands extend beyond tackling organized crime. They accuse the Israeli government and law enforcement agencies of failing to address the crisis.
They argue that official bodies have neglected Palestinian communities and, in some cases, enabled the conditions allowing violence to spread.
The rise in killings has continued since National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who has previously been convicted of offences related to incitement to racism against Arabs, took office in 2023.
K.F.
