With Reconciliation Committees and Special Police Units: 18 Days Without Murder in Arab Society

In the past two and a half weeks, no murder has been recorded in Arab communities, and the decline is attributed to a combination of extensive police activity and mediation agreements between feuding families. Residents and a crime organization leader express hope for continued calm.

In the past two and a half weeks, relative calm has been recorded in Arab communities: 18 days without murder, and only a few shooting incidents with minor injuries. The decline is attributed to a combination of special police units that have made it harder for criminals and crime organizations, and the work of reconciliation committees (mediation) that operate to end conflicts. Residents reported a sense of calm and increased police presence. A crime organization leader said that reconciliation figures made contact and they are committed to a ceasefire, hoping the murders will stop. The chairman of a reconciliation committee, Haj Khamis Abu Saalouk, detailed conflicts resolved in Lod, Ramla, and Tira, in which dozens were killed. A young man whose father was murdered expressed willingness to forgive for the sake of peace. Police said the fight is being waged on several fronts: intelligence, operational, and legal, while applying pressure on the economic infrastructure of crime organizations and monitoring over 200 major criminals.