The photo of whiskey bottles on the table at a festive reception in the village of Daboriya in National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s honor set the internet on fire. “What exactly are we celebrating?” enraged Arab citizens rightly asked, as anger over the visit of someone who turned incitement against the Arab public into a political tool only grew.
This visit, with smiles, handshakes, and panicked clarifications from some participants, failed to erase the hard feelings: a public moment of legitimacy for a minister who does not take responsibility for his and his ministry’s failure to prevent murder in the Arab sector, but instead, once again, points his finger at the victims.
Now, for perspective, take a different embrace – in America. During a Coldplay concert in Massachusetts, the CEO of Astronomer was filmed hugging a female coworker. The video went viral, the public was outraged, and he took responsibility and resigned. No one was killed, there was no criminal offense – only a breach of trust. And the reaction was immediate.
There they understood: true leadership is measured not only by the law, but by public responsibility. And here in Israel? People are murdered, crime is rampant, the police are helpless, and the minister smiles for the photos and keeps inciting. In Israel, when there is a storm, we replace the spokesperson, not the minister.
Violence in Arab society is repeatedly presented as a “sectoral problem” rather than a national challenge. This is not fact – it is a political choice. Meanwhile, Arab leaders who want to combat violence remain silent out of fear.
Journalists are threatened, council members are silenced, educators and even religious figures – they feel like they are walking a tightrope.
And where is the state? It does not protect, does not support, does not cooperate.
One young woman told me: “I want to lead. I know how. I just don’t know if I will live long enough.” This is the heart of the problem. We have a talented generation of leaders, but they do not have backing.
And when a state gives up on a million and a half citizens, when it remains silent in the face of fear – it not only fails. It betrays its duty.
There are solutions. There are examples from around the world. What is lacking is a decision: to see Arab society as a partner. Not an enemy. Not a problem. A partner.
Yakoub Ibrahim, Director of Leadership Department at Givat Haviva, in an op-ed in Yisrael Hayom (Hebrew) .
