The spike in the crime rate and violence in Arab society has prompted the government and law enforcement to ponder new ways of dealing with the problem, such as the establishment of a crime prevention department for the Arab sector.
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There is absolutely no need to set up an entirely new department when the responsibility to prevent crimes – everywhere and at all times – rests on the police. It is also doubtful whether assigning more Arab police officers to police stations in Arab areas would eradicate crime, because the government has already recruited some, and the crime rate continued to climb.
It seems that the Israel Police lacks the most basic understanding of Arab society. While some of its efforts have been successful, it greatly failed in terms of intelligence and perception. Not only did it fail to prevent crimes and illegal weapon trade, but it also completely lost its ability to deter.
Therefore, the government is right in considering entrusting Shin Bet – Israel's internal security agency – with the task of dismantling criminal organizations in the Galilee, the Triangle region and the Negev.
Such a move would require legislation, because the job of Shin Bet is to thwart terrorism, but perhaps, it's time to view the crime rate in Arab society precisely this way: as terrorism and a threat to national security.
Shin Bet has a clear advantage over the police in that it still has deterrence in the Arab Israeli sector. And as much as it pains me to think, being an Arab Israeli myself, that en entire sector will be regarded "as a danger to national security," the situation has spiraled so out of control, that time has come to shuffle the cards.
Shin Bet will have two tasks at hand – to dismantle criminal organizations after declaring them terrorist organizations, which they are, and eradicate the illegal sale of weapons, which mostly harm Arab Israelis now but might soon be pointed at Israelis.
Blurring the lines between "crime" and "terrorism" and between "citizens" and "enemies" sounds risky, but there are ways to monitor and control the situation. The move is not irreversible, but most importantly, the potential benefit of dramatically improving the situation greatly outweighs the risks.
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