85% of women killed in Israel by family members in 2016 were Arabs

The report also noted that in 2015 there were over 14,000 appeals by citizens to some 103 centers for the prevention of domestic violence that are operated by the ministry.

By LIDAR GRAVÉ-LAZI
Updated: NOVEMBER 24, 2016 11:26
Violence against women (photo credit: PR)
Violence against women
(photo credit: PR)
Since the beginning of 2016, 15 women in Israel have been killed by their boyfriends, spouses or another family member.
According to a report released by the Welfare and Social Services Ministry ahead of International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, observed annually on November 25, eight women have been murdered by present or ex-boyfriends and an additional seven have been murdered by a family member in 2016 so far.
Of the women murdered by a partner, three were Jewish, three were Arab and two were from the former Soviet Union. In contrast, of the seven women murdered by a family member, six were Arab.
Said Tali, national director for the treatment of domestic violence in the ministry, said that during the last three years there has been an increase in the rate of Arab women among all the women killed.
The report also noted that in 2015 there were over 14,000 appeals by citizens to some 103 centers for the prevention of domestic violence that are operated by the ministry.
As a result of these inquiries some 11,000 people were cared for – among them 7,230 women and 2,778 men, along with 987 children.
The findings further indicated that 17% of the appeals were made by new olim – 71% of these new olim were women, 26% were men and 3% were children.
The ministry also noted that its welfare hotline 118, which operates 24/7, received 1,340 complaints of domestic violence.
“Domestic violence is an a-sectorial phenomenon with disastrous consequences for the whole family,” Welfare and Social Services Minister Haim Katz said.
“The... ministry is acting to expand the basket of tools and the funds to treat violent men and to rehabilitate the women victims of violence, in order to help them build independent lives and provide security for their children,” he added.
The minister said that his office is in the process of formulating a national plan to eradicate violence, in collaboration with other ministries.
“We will outline an effective way for early detection and prevention alongside rehabilitation, treatment and punishment,” he said.