Arab Families Block Ayalon Highway in Protest of Escalating Violent Crime

Protesters Demand Action on Violent Crime

Dozens of Arab families, including relatives of homicide victims, and activists from the 'Standing Together' movement, blocked the southbound Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv on Sunday, January 25, 2026. The demonstration aimed to protest the alarming rise in violent crime and murders within Arab society in Israel, demanding immediate government intervention against what they perceive as the abandonment of their communities.

Protesters held signs, with one notably displaying the face of Abdallah Awad, a pediatrician from Mazra'a who was killed last year. The demonstrators were quickly dispersed by police, and no arrests were reported. Their demands included an end to protection rackets and criminal organizations, urging the police to utilize their resources to address the escalating violence.

Escalating Violence in Arab Communities

The protest on the Ayalon Highway is part of a broader movement by Arab citizens in Israel to highlight the severe and disproportionate impact of violent crime on their communities. Statistics reveal a grim picture: in 2023, there were 233 murders in the Arab community, a significant increase from 109 in 2022. The Abraham Initiatives, an organization tracking violent crime, reported 244 Arab community members killed in 2023. In 2024, the number remained high, with approximately 230 Arab Israeli murder victims.

The trend has continued into the current year, with at least 21 lives claimed by deadly criminal violence in Arab society less than a month into 2026. Other reports indicate that 18 Palestinian citizens of Israel have been killed in incidents linked to criminal networks since the start of the new year. In 2023, Palestinian citizens accounted for 252 of Israel's 305 murder victims, despite comprising only 21% of the population. The ratio of homicides between Arabs and Jews reached 14:1 in 2024.

Underlying Factors and Calls for Government Accountability

The high homicide rate in Arab communities is attributed to several complex factors, including the widespread availability of illegal firearms, ongoing blood feuds between clans, 'honor killings,' and the expansion of loansharking and protection rackets operated by Arab criminal organizations. Critics frequently point to alleged government inaction, neglect, and an inadequate police response as contributing to the crisis. Many in the Arab community feel that police often do not prioritize solving homicides in their towns.

While the government passed Resolution 550 in October 2021, a 30 billion shekel plan aimed at comprehensive investment in Arab society, funds from this initiative have reportedly been diverted towards enforcement and security measures. This diversion has raised concerns that long-term solutions addressing socioeconomic gaps, which are seen as root causes of crime, are being undermined.

Previous Protests and Broader Movement

The January 25 protest follows other significant demonstrations. On October 28, 2021, dozens of Arab Israeli demonstrators, including politicians such as Joint List chief Ayman Odeh and several mayors, blocked major roads, including parts of the Ayalon Highway and Route 6, to protest government inaction on the crime wave. More recently, in January 2026, thousands of Israeli Arabs marched in Sakhnin, and a general strike was initiated by the Union of Arab Mayors and the High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens, further underscoring the widespread frustration and demand for change.