PM: Gov't aims to reduce crime in Arab sector

Netanyahu tells cabinet that Arab community can help itself by volunteering in civil service.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
police antiviolence rally lod parade 311 (photo credit: POLICE MOTORCYCLISTS ride at the front of an antiv)
police antiviolence rally lod parade 311
(photo credit: POLICE MOTORCYCLISTS ride at the front of an antiv)
Reducing crime in the Arab sector is a government goal that also needs to be a goal of the country, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Sunday at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting.
Netanyahu's comments came after there were three murders in the Arab sector last weekend.
"I appreciate the fact that there are increasing voices from within the Arab sector, from its leaders, mayors and citizens, calling for stepped-up law enforcement within Arab communities and villages," Netanyahu said.
He went on to say that this was an important change and he would add to his call for enlistment in the civilian service. Netanyahu said that this would also make it possible to combine actions for increased law enforcement.
The prime minister insisted that the Arab community could help itself: "The Arab sector can help itself vis-à-vis increased law enforcement by volunteering in the civilian service as well."
Netanyahu informed the cabinet that last week he attended a conference that the government organized on increasing the involvement of Israeli Arabs in Israel's economic growth. 
"We spoke there about the steps to involve them in the economy, education, transportation, access to jobs and many other issues," the prime minister explained. He stressed the importance of all these steps being taken.
"While the government has invested billions of shekels in moving forward on these goals in the Arab sector, I would like to say that without law enforcement, none of these steps will achieve the goal that we are hoping for and striving toward – i.e. the integration of Israeli Arabs in the State of Israel's progress," Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu said that alongside all of these actions that, "there must also be partnership in enforcing the law."
The prime minister said that he expected a practical response from Arab sector community representatives regarding increased law enforcement in their communities.