Ben-Gvir accuses attorney general over surge in Arab community killings

Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has accused Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara of bearing responsibility for a surge in killings within the Arab community, amid mounting criticism over the government’s handling of violent crime.

Speaking at a conference organised by a right-wing newspaper on Tuesday, Ben-Gvir said the attorney general’s “hands are stained with the blood” of victims killed since the start of the year. Official data show that violence in Arab towns has reached record levels during his tenure.

Ben-Gvir claimed that three years ago he had requested the use of administrative detention against 100 Arab families, but that Baharav-Miara had refused. He argued that such measures are applied to members of the extremist settler group known as the “Hilltop Youth”, asking why similar powers could not be used elsewhere.

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He further alleged that the attorney general had rejected requests to authorise police interception of phone communications. Ben-Gvir said he had approached Shin Bet chief David Zini to demand unspecified operations, adding: “Without phone hacking software and without administrative detentions, the killings will continue.”

The remarks reflect growing tensions between the minister and Israel’s legal authorities over the scope of police powers.

Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu, also from Ben-Gvir’s party, told the Ynet news website that responsibility lay with the leadership of the Arab community rather than with the government.

Israel Police have denied responsibility for the rise in crime. Inspector General Danny Levy called on the judiciary and the State Attorney’s Office to impose harsher penalties and to expedite indictments and administrative restriction orders.

Violence in Arab communities has been a longstanding issue in Israel, with community leaders accusing successive governments of failing to invest adequately in policing and social services.

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