INSS researcher Brig. Gen. (ret.) Dr. Meir Elran writes about the tragic incident in which four people were murdered: Doris Yahbas, Rabbi Moshe Kravitzky, Laura Yitzhak, and Menahem Yehezkel were murdered on Tuesday night in a heinous and unnecessary act of terrorism in Be'er Sheva, perpetrated by an Arab citizen of Israel. The heart aches and feelings of rage rise over this difficult event.
What can be done in the face of this challenge, in the immediate and subsequent periods?
Israel is now in a very sensitive and potentially volatile period, as both it and its enemies have been greatly affected by what happened in May last year, during Operation Guardian of the Walls and the violent riots that took place between Arabs and Jews. Against this background, a uniquely concerted effort must be made by the Israeli police and security forces, so that the month of Ramadan passes peacefully and last year's events do not repeat or intensify and cause serious damage.
That said, it is also important to act in a way that calms sentiments and prevents violent reactions to the acts of terrorism by extremist elements, be they Jews or Arabs. The reaction of the Arab public in Israel and its leadership to the brutal murder is different from the past and very encouraging. It reflects not only a decided condemnation of the attack, but also a desire to ensure, as much as possible, ongoing integration and cooperation between the Jewish majority and the Arab minority, throughout the country and especially in the Negev.
In the longer term, it is important to focus on two in-depth processes: First, to noticeably strengthen the police, law enforcement, and governance mechanisms. The challenges of terrorism, violence, crime, and serious disturbances require not only a significant increase in the police force, but also a strengthening of its capabilities to successfully deal with these challenges. It is a long process, but obligatory. Some important first steps have already been taken in this direction, but there is still much more to do.
The second is to implement, in a strict, coordinated and effective manner, the five-year economic development plan designed for the Arab society, which lags far behind Jewish society by all parameters. Therein lies the main problem, which feeds extreme violence of various kinds. Anyone looking for in-depth answers as to what happened on Tuesday in Be'er Sheva might be able to find them in this discrepancy.
INSS researcher Brig. Gen. (ret.) Dr. Meir Elran writes about the tragic incident in which four people were murdered: Doris Yahbas, Rabbi Moshe Kravitzky, Laura Yitzhak, and Menahem Yehezkel were murdered on Tuesday night in a heinous and unnecessary act of terrorism in Be'er Sheva, perpetrated by an Arab citizen of Israel. The heart aches and feelings of rage rise over this difficult event.
What can be done in the face of this challenge, in the immediate and subsequent periods?
Israel is now in a very sensitive and potentially volatile period, as both it and its enemies have been greatly affected by what happened in May last year, during Operation Guardian of the Walls and the violent riots that took place between Arabs and Jews. Against this background, a uniquely concerted effort must be made by the Israeli police and security forces, so that the month of Ramadan passes peacefully and last year's events do not repeat or intensify and cause serious damage.
That said, it is also important to act in a way that calms sentiments and prevents violent reactions to the acts of terrorism by extremist elements, be they Jews or Arabs. The reaction of the Arab public in Israel and its leadership to the brutal murder is different from the past and very encouraging. It reflects not only a decided condemnation of the attack, but also a desire to ensure, as much as possible, ongoing integration and cooperation between the Jewish majority and the Arab minority, throughout the country and especially in the Negev.
In the longer term, it is important to focus on two in-depth processes: First, to noticeably strengthen the police, law enforcement, and governance mechanisms. The challenges of terrorism, violence, crime, and serious disturbances require not only a significant increase in the police force, but also a strengthening of its capabilities to successfully deal with these challenges. It is a long process, but obligatory. Some important first steps have already been taken in this direction, but there is still much more to do.
The second is to implement, in a strict, coordinated and effective manner, the five-year economic development plan designed for the Arab society, which lags far behind Jewish society by all parameters. Therein lies the main problem, which feeds extreme violence of various kinds. Anyone looking for in-depth answers as to what happened on Tuesday in Be'er Sheva might be able to find them in this discrepancy.