Tens of thousands rally in Tel Aviv over violence in Arab society, call for government action

Protesters waved black flags and held signs reading “Stop the War on Crime,” “We are with you, you are not alone” and “This is not helplessness, this is policy.”

Tens of thousands of people gathered in Habima Square in Tel Aviv on Saturday evening to protest the government’s handling of violent crime in Arab Israeli society, with Arab and Jewish Israelis marching together and calling for stricter law enforcement and safer streets.

Many protesters waved black flags and held signs reading “Stop the War on Crime,” “We are with you, you are not alone” and “This is not helplessness, this is policy.” The rally followed a protest march from Place des Otages to Place Habima.

A grieving mother whose son was murdered addressed the crowd in tears, shouting: “Enough injustice, enough loss.” »

“Do not impose collective punishment”

Talal al-Krenawi, the mayor of Rahat, criticized what he described as daily house demolitions and threats facing Bedouin communities in the Negev, and warned of broad measures that could punish entire communities.

“The government should enforce the law as it does everywhere,” he said. “Don’t make generalizations. Don’t impose collective punishment. Don’t close communities. Don’t provoke young people.”

Al-Krenawi rejected claims that Bedouin residents are defined by criminality, saying they include doctors, nurses, lawyers, judges, teachers, public transport drivers and entrepreneurs who help build infrastructure and develop agriculture in the region. He also criticized plans that he said would establish new Jewish communities in the Negev without recognizing Bedouin localities or providing adequate housing solutions.

Calls for solidarity and equal protection

Professor Barak Medina, former rector of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said the rally aimed to show solidarity with Arab citizens facing “pain, fear and frustration”, and accused the government and police of failing in their basic duty to protect life.

“This struggle is a shared struggle,” Medina said, describing it as a joint effort of Arab citizens and Israeli Jews, and calling for a commitment to equal protection and equal rights in security, education, health, housing, budget and infrastructure.

Veteran actress Rivka Michaeli told protesters she came because she was afraid, warning that the lingering disregard for deadly violence in Arab society was spreading across the country. Michaeli spoke about coexistence in Israeli hospitals and said an Arab surgeon saved her life. She also cited figures she said she received from an AI tool on Arab representation in medicine and pharmacy, while claiming that many Arab professionals are also killed by criminal organizations.

Michaeli also referred to the “The Merchant of Venice”, adapting a well-known passage to emphasize shared humanity, and invoked Theodor Herzl while expressing concern that Israel is moving away from the promise of equality.

After the protest was dispersed, a 26-year-old man from Baka al Gharbiya was arrested for threatening a protester with pepper spray.

Shooting near the Lod courthouse

Later Saturday, a man was killed and two people were injured in a shooting near the Lod District Court. The victim was identified as Omar al-Shamli. The injured, Basel al-Shamli and Louay al-Shamli, 19, were transported to Shamir Medical Center with penetrating injuries, with one in serious condition and the other in light condition.

This is the 23rd murder in Arab Israeli society since the start of 2026.