Israel's treatment of Arab towns shows Arab lives are valued less than others - opinion
By failing to provide adequate protection for Arab towns, the government sends a message that some lives are valued less than others. This is not only a moral failing but also a failure of democracy.
Activist Ayman Kabha is seen leading a discussion.(photo credit: Ajyal Movement administrators)ByAYMAN KABHAThe current war and rocket barrages have exposed the glaring disparities in how different communities in Israel experience times of war. While the entire country has endured relentless rocket fire since October 7, the Arab minority faces unique vulnerabilities, rooted in neglect and lack of investment in protective infrastructure. This disparity has been laid bare through the rockets that struck Arab towns such as Majd al-Krum, Tamra, Sha’ab, and Tira. The death of a mother and her son during the olive harvest amplifies the harsh reality of living without adequate protection.
According to recent data gathered by The Emergency Operations Room of the Committee of Arab Mayors, nearly 60% of homes in Arab communities lack reinforced safe rooms, and 60% of Arab local authorities do not have even a single public shelter. By contrast, towns with predominantly Jewish populations are much better equipped. In Karmiel, for example, there are 126 public shelters – one for every 375 residents. In neighboring Arab towns, there are only two public shelters, serving a combined population of approximately 30,000 people – or one shelter for every 15,000 residents.
These figures are a telling reminder of systemic inequalities that go beyond physical safety. The lack of shelters in Arab communities leaves citizens not only physically vulnerable but also perpetuates a sense of exclusion and abandonment. It reinforces the perception that the state places a lower value on the lives of Arab citizens, undermining trust and deepening social divides.
The disparity in protective infrastructure is not merely a technical or logistical issue – it is a moral failing. Protection is a fundamental human right, and the state is obligated to ensure the safety of all its citizens, regardless of their ethnicity or socioeconomic background. However, the current situation highlights years of neglect that have left Arab communities disproportionately exposed during times of conflict.
Since October 7, more than 19,000 rockets have been fired at Israel, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. While the ceasefire offers temporary relief, the damage has already been done. Communities across the country are reeling from the destruction, but for Arab towns the impact is exacerbated by their lack of protective infrastructure. The financial cost of reconstruction is estimated in the billions, but no amount of money can address the sense of abandonment felt by citizens left unprotected.
Programs by the Ayjal Movement for seniors amid war. (credit: Ajyal Movement administrators)The situation is particularly dire for Arab families who rely on agriculture, such as olive harvesting, as a primary source of income. These families often work in open fields far from the built-up areas of their villages. Without access to shelters or warning systems, they are left completely exposed during rocket attacks. For many, the olive harvest is not just a livelihood but a lifeline, especially during times of war when other economic opportunities are limited. However, this lifeline comes at the cost of immense personal risk.
In the face of these challenges, Arab communities have not remained passive. Organizations such as The Ajyal Movement and Tzedek Centers have stepped up to fill the void left by the state. These groups work tirelessly to enhance community resilience, providing first-aid training, organizing local emergency response teams, and creating neighborhood-based emergency hubs. In Majd al-Krum and Tamra, for example, volunteers are being trained to provide rapid response in times of crisis, offering both physical and psychosocial support to their communities.
Investment in Arab civil society is a necessary step to create an organized society with community resilience and the ability to respond to emergencies more promptly and effectively.
These efforts, while commendable, cannot and should not replace the fundamental responsibilities of the state. It is not the role of citizens and grassroots organizations to compensate for systemic failings. The government must take immediate action to address the protection gap in Arab communities. This means allocating resources to build public shelters, reinforce homes, and install early warning systems in underserved areas. Such investments are not optional; they are essential to the safety and dignity of all citizens.
The lack of protection in Arab communities is not just a logistical oversight, it is a reflection of broader systemic inequalities. The same neglect that leaves Arab citizens without shelters also manifests in underfunded schools, inadequate healthcare services, and poor infrastructure. These inequities are a direct result of years of unequal prioritization, and they should not be allowed to persist.
Security is not a privilege reserved for certain communities – it is a basic right. The state’s obligation to protect its citizens must extend to all, without exception. By failing to provide adequate protection for Arab towns, the government sends a message that some lives are valued less than others. This is not only a moral failing but also a failure of democracy. A state that aspires to equality cannot allow such disparities to exist.
As we move forward, we must recognize that protection is about more than physical safety; it is about justice, equality, and the value of human life. Investing in protective infrastructure for Arab communities is not just a matter of policy, it is a matter of principle. It is a step toward bridging the gaps that divide us and fostering a sense of unity and shared responsibility.
The current war has shown us the consequences of neglect. It is now up to the government to ensure that these lessons are not forgotten. The time to act is not in the next conflict, it is now. Only by addressing these disparities can we begin to build a future where all citizens, regardless of their background, can live with safety, dignity, and hope.■
The writer is executive director of the Ajyal Movement and leader of Tzedek Centers in the Arab community. Ajyal is an Arab movement established in 2006 as a growing new young leadership in the Arab society of Israel that calls for equality, solidarity, and peace. The Tzedek Centers Movement is an Israeli organization that brings together people in Israel’s mixed cities to participate in training programs for social change.
