Palestinians in Israel protest against Israeli police brutality amid spike in killings

Palestinian citizens of Israel held a protest outside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office in Jerusalem on Sunday, demonstrating against the government’s brutal policies towards their community and inaction in addressing social issues, following the Israeli police's killing of a Palestinian Bedouin man in the Negev (Naqab) desert last week.

A group of around 300 protesters gathered outside the government office on Sunday, Israeli media said, which included Knesset members Ayman Odeh, head of the left-wing Hadash alliance, Mansour Abbas, the head of the United Arab List, and Aida Touma-Suleiman, who is also a member of Hadash.

Demonstrators raised black flags and banners with anti-government slogans, and chanted slogans such as "Hey police, hey police, Arab blood isn’t cheap."

They also held up pictures of Muhammad Hussein Tarabin, the 36-year-old Bedouin man who was killed during a raid on his home by Israeli police in the village of Tarabin al-Sana on 3 January.

Also present were Mazen Ghnaim, the head of the National Committee of Arab Local Authorities, and the mayor of Rahat, Talal al-Qrenawi.

The protest was organised by the High Follow-Up Committee and the National Committee of Heads of Arab Local Authorities.

The head of the Follow-Up Committee, Dr. Jamal Zahalka, delivered a speech addressing the escalating violence and crime within Palestinian community, accusing the government and police of complicity and deliberate negligence.

Zahalka told The New Arab’s affiliate website, Arab48: "The Arab community is dealing with a government that is like shouting into a wall. We have warned repeatedly, but it's like talking to a brick wall."

"Crime is escalating dangerously. It's no longer just individual crimes; it's become a state crime. We are victims of the police twice over: once because of their direct violence, and again because of their complicity with their criminal agents," he added.

Zahalka emphasised that "the next stage requires organised escalation, and we must begin it now with a series of activities that pave the way for civil disobedience and a general strike, encompassing doctors, engineers, and employees, along with businesses, schools, and all segments of society".

At least 16 Palestinians in Israel have been killed so far in 2026 -  12 of those by gunfire.

On Thursday, police shot and killed Sham Shami in Ibtin, a Bedouin village located in northern Israel. Just like Tarabin, Shami was shot point-blank by Israeli police officers.

The Palestinian community in Israel has long faced discrimination, marginalisation, and other policies putting them at a disadvantage in society. Social issues, such as organised crime, also contribute to the disenfranchisement of Palestinians.

Palestinians are also victims of disproportionate police brutality in the country. In 2025, 252 Palestinians were killed, an increase of approximately 10 percent compared to 2024, which saw 230 deaths..

Last year was the deadliest year on record for Palestinians citizens of Israel.

Zahalka added: "Internal options have been exhausted, so we are now turning to the international community, as there is no point in addressing this government. We will seek to pressure the international community through the European Union and the US administration, as well as France and Britain, because Benjamin Netanyahu only responds to external pressure."

Israeli police said on Sunday they concluded the two-week-long raid on Tarabin al-Sana, with no charges pressed against the 30 Palestinian Bedouins they arrested. The raid saw clashes between locals and Israeli police, as well as a provocative visit by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.