Arab, Jewish protesters turn out in record numbers for Tel Aviv anti-crime demonstration

Tens of thousands of Arab and Jewish protesters turned out in Tel Aviv Saturday night for a massive rally, accusing the government of neglecting its Arab citizens and allowing violence to run rampant in the community. The unprecedented demonstration in Habima Square briefly united Israel’s overwhelmingly Jewish anti-government protest movement with the country’s Arab citizens, who have become increasingly vocal in the face of pervasive crime. The crowd was a highly unusual mix of Arab families and regular protesters against the right-wing government. Organizers estimated that some 40,000 Jewish and Arab protesters were in attendance. Protesters waved black flags, which have become the chief symbol of the burgeoning movement against crime in Arab communities. Other signs read in English “Arab Lives Matter,” borrowing the phrasing of the US-based Black Lives Matter movement. The rally was organized by the High Follow-Up Committee, the leading body for Arab citizens of Israel, in an effort to capture the attention of the Jewish public and win support for Arab society’s struggle against organized crime. Speaking from onstage, Sakhnin’s Mayor Mazen Ghnaim said that “we want personal security,” after 27 Arab citizens fell victim to homicide in the past month alone. Last year was the deadliest year on record for Arab society in Israel, with 252 killed in crime-related violence. High Follow-Up Committee chairman Jamal Zahalka spoke, accusing the state of “fueling crime organizations and criminals who murder, extort and threaten.” Zahalka blamed law enforcement for the sky-high rate, accusing police of practicing a “policy of deadly restraint” when it comes to crime in Arab society. He also decried National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir as the “minister of crime.” Lawmaker Gilad Kariv said Arab and liberal Jewish groups are united in attempting to oust the current coalition. Hadash-Ta’al chairman Ayman Odeh said the protest must serve as a “turning point” to unite Jewish and Arab Israelis against the policies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition.