Politics · Other · 8 hrs ago
Herzog calls for larger police force to address crime and settler violence
Israeli President Isaac Herzog says the country needs a larger and stronger police force to respond to growing security challenges.
He pointed to killings in Arab communities, where 174 Arab Israelis have been killed in criminal violence so far in 2026, following a record 252 victims in 2025.
Herzog also condemned attacks by extremist settlers on Palestinians in the West Bank, calling them a moral stain on Israel.
He said the violence is creating difficult situations for Israeli military commanders and does not reflect the values of settlement communities.
Herzog also criticized violence at protests by ultra-Orthodox men opposing the arrest of people avoiding military service.
He called on relevant officials to meet, develop a substantial plan and issue clear instructions from political leaders.
The account gives no details of a plan or any next steps beyond Herzog’s call.
President Isaac Herzog said Israel needs a larger and stronger police force to address the country’s challenges.
He highlighted rising homicides in Arab society and attacks by settler extremists against Palestinians in the West Bank.
Herzog called the settler violence a moral stain on Israel and said it was receiving legitimacy from silence.
He urged officials to develop a significant plan and use the full power of the state, including clear political directives.
- Who
- Israeli President Isaac Herzog called for a larger and stronger police force.
- What
- He said it was needed to address violent crime and settler attacks against Palestinians.
- When
- He spoke in a pre-recorded interview aired on Monday at a Yedioth Ahronoth conference; the article was published October 12, 2026.
- Where
- Israel, including Arab communities and the West Bank.
- Why
- Herzog said the country’s challenges exceed the police force’s capacity, citing rising homicides and settler violence.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The homicide rate in Arab society doubled.
Arab-sector homicide victims reached an all-time high of 252.
Herzog visited the IDF Judea and Samaria Division headquarters in the West Bank.
Settlers allegedly set fire to four vehicles and sprayed Hebrew graffiti on homes in Aqraba.
A pre-recorded interview with Herzog aired at a Yedioth Ahronoth conference.
- Police force
- Herzog called for a stronger and much larger force.
- Arab Israelis killed in 2026
- 174 since the start of the year.
- Arab-sector homicide victims in 2025
- 252, an all-time high.
- Arab society population
- More than 1.3 million people, according to Herzog.
- West Bank village
- Aqraba, where four vehicles were allegedly set alight on October 6, 2026.
What people are saying
We need a stronger police force — and a much larger one, because there are so many challenges here.
Crime in Arab society is a disaster
It’s an enormous stain on the face of the state, a moral stain
gather in a room, build a significant plan and activate all the power of the state, including clear directives from the political echelon.
Sources
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