Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a new era in Israel, stating that the nation is at war with Arab criminal gangs, treating them as full terror groups. This significant shift in national security policy comes after Israel experienced its deadliest year of Arab community violence in 2025. The Prime Minister emphasized that crime eradication is now a core national security priority, a sentiment echoed during a recent Knesset address. The escalation in violence has prompted unprecedented government mobilization and a reevaluation of how these threats are handled.
In 2025, a staggering 252 Arab Israelis were killed in 218 incidents of violence and crime, a significant increase from the 230 murders recorded in 2024. This disturbing trend highlights a growing problem that demands immediate and comprehensive intervention. The government’s new approach involves committing defense, intelligence, and law enforcement resources that were previously reserved for traditional national security threats. This integrated strategy aims to address the root causes of the violence and restore order.
Featured snippet paragraph: The answer is that Israel is now treating Arab criminal organizations identically to terrorist groups, dedicating significant defense, intelligence, and law enforcement resources to combat this escalating violence and crime within its borders.
Netanyahu’s strong stance was reinforced by his personal engagement, including extensive Negev tours with top security officials. During these tours, he received detailed briefings on critical issues such as weapons smuggling operations and the effectiveness of current enforcement strategies. The overarching plan is designed to bolster the security of border communities, effectively curb the influence of organized crime, and reinforce the state’s governance, particularly in the southern regions. This is being combined with large-scale settlement expansion efforts.
“Criminal organizations are terror organizations in every way,” Netanyahu stated emphatically during a 40-signatures debate. “That is how we are treating them, and that is how we are dealing with them.” This declaration signals a fundamental change in Israel’s domestic security doctrine, moving beyond conventional policing to a more robust, security-focused approach.
Recent polling from the Israel Democracy Institute reveals a concerning collapse in trust between Israel’s Arab minority and the police force. Trust has plummeted from 27% to just 19%, indicating a deep-seated issue of perceived neglect and bias. Arab politicians have increasingly voiced concerns that law enforcement policies are characterized by active neglect when it comes to addressing the needs and safety of Arab citizens.
The statistics on fatalities are particularly grim. More than 72% of murder victims were between the ages of 18 and 40, highlighting a demographic disproportionately affected by the violence. A particularly alarming trend is the significant rise in fatalities among Arab women, with 23 reported murders in 2025, marking the highest number ever recorded. This underscores the pervasive nature of the problem and its impact on vulnerable populations.
The government has officially designated this challenge as a “war,” necessitating new budgets and a coordinated deployment of security forces. This classification reflects the severity of the situation and the need for extraordinary measures to restore peace and security. The focus is on addressing critical aspects like weapons smuggling, protection money rackets, and the proliferation of illegal firearms, all of which contribute directly to the cycle of violence.
Police efforts to solve murders stemming from criminal activity by clans, criminal organizations, and gangs have been notably unsuccessful. Less than 10 percent of all such murders have been solved, creating a climate of impunity that unfortunately emboldens further violence. This lack of accountability is a major factor contributing to the ongoing crisis.
“We are determined to bring back law and order to the south,” Netanyahu pledged, reiterating his commitment to treating Arab community crime as a core national challenge. This commitment demands immediate and comprehensive intervention, signaling a new phase in Israel’s fight against internal security threats and a dedication to ensuring the safety and well-being of all its citizens.
This evolving situation requires continuous monitoring and analysis. Understanding the complexities of this “war” against criminal gangs is crucial for developing effective long-term solutions. The government’s proactive stance, while controversial, aims to address deeply entrenched issues of crime and violence that have plagued certain communities for too long.
