Israel’s ‘two-tier’ policing and the crime epidemic in Palestinian towns

Addressing the cameras following reports of spiralling youth violence, including the killing of the 21-year-old former Israeli soldier Yemanu Binyamin Zalka last week, Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was clear.“This will be a total war,” he said, announcing a national operation to target a surge in youth violence. “We will restore security to the streets and calm to parents. Anyone who harms Israeli civilians will face the strong hand of the Israel Police and pay a heavy price.”Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4The EU must not wait till Israel starts executing Palestinianslist 2 of 4Protestor depicts Israeli minister Ben Gvir covered in blood in Stockholmlist 3 of 4Analysis: Bennett-Lapid alliance attempt to unseat Israel’s Netanyahulist 4 of 4Palestinian citizens of Israel demand government do more to stop crimeend of listThe response was sharp, aligned itself with the victim, and promised a solution.That, critics say, is a sharp contrast to Ben-Gvir’s response – or lack of one – to the ongoing epidemic of violence in Israeli towns and villages populated by Palestinians, which has so far led to the deaths of almost 100 people and, according to Israel’s own finance ministry, costs the country up to $6.7bn