January 31, 2026 – Thousands of demonstrators — Arabs and Jewish allies — marched through central Tel Aviv Saturday night in a powerful “Arab Lives Matter: STOP the Violence” rally calling for urgent action to halt the surge in violent crime in Arab communities and to end what participants described as years of state and law-enforcement inaction.
Organized by the High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel in cooperation with Arab-Jewish civil society groups, the demonstration brought protesters carrying black flags, signs and photos of relatives killed in recent violence from across the country to Habima Square. Slogans such as “Enough violence and murder” and “No more silence” echoed through the streets as crowds pressed for policy change, stronger policing and investment in crime prevention.
Speakers at the rally, including mayors, family members of victims, and community leaders, urged the government to treat the epidemic of shootings, extortion and murders as a crisis requiring meaningful intervention. Many criticized the national security establishment for failing to curb illegal weapons flows and organized crime, and for systemic neglect of Arab towns and cities.
The Tel Aviv event followed a series of large protests and a general strike earlier in the week in Arab locales such as Sakhnin, where tens of thousands protested unchecked violence, shuttered businesses and closed schools in a show of collective outrage. Organizers described the Tel Aviv march as part of a broader campaign of sustained civic pressure, including planned “days of disruption” and continued demonstrations if officials do not act decisively.
Amid mounting frustration, activists emphasized that the call for safety transcends communal lines, inviting Jewish and Arab citizens alike to stand together for the basic right to security and dignity for all.
Photos by Sharon Dolev
