Aharonovitch foresees Bedouin flare-up in south

Internal security minister warned of violence in south following resettlement plan. 'I forsee problems, fire in the south and blocking of roads,' he says at Knesset committee

Omri Efraim|Published: 07.17.13 , 15:49

Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch has warned that a flare-up could erupt in Bedouin towns in southern Israel in response to the resettlement plan.

"I foresee problems, fire in the south, and the blocking of roads," he said during a discussion at the Finance Committee.

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The minster also demanded that all rescue and emergency services including the home front defense agencies be placed under his ministry's jurisdiction. "Let the IDF handle the borders and beyond, that's how a democratic country should operate," he said.

"We are making efforts to curb crime in the Arab sector but I still foresee problems, especially in the south, firing and blocking of roads, and we must prepare for that," the minister said. He backed plans to reduce the amount of hand guns given to security guards.

Aharonovitch stressed that one of his main tasks is to enhance the rule of law in the Arab sector. "They (Arabs) account for 40% of crime despite representing only 20% of the population," he said. "The residents and council heads want more police presence and they deserve it."

MK Ahmad Tibi (United Arab List Ta'al) said in response, "The crime rate in the Arab sector is very high while the crime solving rates are very low."

Police Commissioner Yohanan Danino retorted, "Many efforts are being made to reduce crime in the sector and improvements can already be seen such as the reduction of shootings in family occasions for instance. We are even approaching families holding events about the shooting ban."