Treat weapons smuggling as terrorism, not crime

The pervasive issue of illegal weapons smuggling into Israel, resulting in hundreds of thousands of firearms circulating within the country, should be unequivocally labeled as a national security and terror threat, not merely a criminal concern. This is the stark reality faced by residents of the Negev, who nightly hear gunfire from nearby Bedouin communities, a situation that should never befall children.

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Night after night, they hear the sounds of gunfire from nearby Bedouin communities.

This uncontrolled proliferation of weapons, coupled with escalating crime rates and dangerous driving on Negev roads, signifies a profound loss of government authority over Israeli territory. For those living in the region, these are not abstract political matters but daily lived experiences marked by constant danger, fear, and friends deciding to relocate. The author, a former IDF combat officer residing in the Negev, highlights this as a direct consequence of failed government policies.

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Such weapons smuggling, rising crime rates, and reckless driving on the Negev’s roads are examples of the total loss of control by the government over Israeli territory.

Statistics reveal a dramatic increase in murders in the South, with 46 recorded in 2025, a 119% surge compared to the period under the previous government. This data underscores a perceived decline in safety under the current administration, contrasting with a time when significant progress was made in combating crime and restoring sovereignty in the Negev. The author asserts that with the right leadership, this progress can be replicated.

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Ask my neighbors under which government they felt safer, and you will receive a clear answer.

Addressing this crisis requires two fundamental decisions: first, recognizing weapons smuggling as an act of terror and committing to fighting it as such. Second, implementing a detailed action plan developed with counterterrorism, law enforcement, and social policy experts. Beyond involving the Shin Bet, the strategy must adopt an "all of the above" approach, leveraging financial law enforcement, ending protection rackets to choke off criminal syndicate funding, increasing police presence, and imposing strict sentences. Additionally, a crackdown on illegal construction alongside investment in accelerated development within recognized communities is essential.

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First, acknowledging that weapons smuggling is not a criminal issue but a terror threat, then committing to fighting it as such.