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As Arab sector violence soars, Israeli imams complete leadership program to combat crime

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Israeli President Isaac Herzog addressed 58 imams graduating from a year-long program aimed at reducing crime in the Arab sector.
  • The initiative, a collaboration between the Open University and Interior Ministry, focused on community resilience and violence prevention.
  • The program addresses a surge in violence, with over 140 Arab citizens murdered in Israel this year, and low police clearance rates for homicides in Arab communities.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has urged Islamic leaders to combat rising crime in the Arab sector, emphasizing the state's "obligation" to protect all citizens. He spoke at the graduation of 58 imams from a year-long program designed to equip them with community resilience, conflict resolution, and violence prevention strategies.

Israel has an “obligation” to protect all its citizens.

— President Isaac HerzogAddressing 58 imams graduating from a joint initiative aimed at reducing crime in the Arab sector.

The "Imams as Community Leaders" initiative, a joint effort by the Open University and the Interior Ministry, brought Islamic leaders from across Israel to Ra'anana weekly. The program's focus on tackling crime comes amid a significant increase in violence, with over 140 Arab citizens murdered in Israel since the beginning of 2026. Recent car bombings in Jaffa and Holon injured multiple people, including a six-year-old boy who also lost his father.

Violence is not a fact of life.

— President Isaac HerzogSpeaking to the graduating imams at a critical moment for Arab society.

Open University president Professor Leo Corry highlighted the declining confidence in the state's ability to address the crisis. Data from the Abraham Initiatives watchdog group reveals that police have solved only 12% of homicides in Arab communities this year, and a mere 10% of cases from the previous year. Corry noted that law enforcement authorities are perceived as not fulfilling their duty to eradicate crime and support affected citizens.

We need to bring back the quiet to the street.

— President Isaac HerzogDescribing the current situation as 'unbearable' and promising wider societal support.

President Herzog described the current situation as "unbearable" and stressed that Israel cannot claim to be progressive while bloodshed continues. He promised that wider Israeli society is willing to support its Arab citizens in resolving the issue. The imams' graduation marks a critical moment for Arab society in Israel, as they return to their communities equipped with new strategies to foster peace and safety.

Regrettably, violence continues to claim victims almost daily and harms citizens’ ability to lead safe and normal lives in the most basic sense of the word.

— Professor Leo CorryCommenting on the declining confidence in the state's ability to tackle crime.
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Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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