Changing the trend in a dangerous phenomenon: "Once it was part of the joy, it is possible to celebrate without it"
Shooting at events and weddings in the Arab community has long been considered routine. Recently, increased enforcement and initiatives from within the community have raised awareness, and a decline has been recorded in the phenomenon, which often ended in tragedy: "It is possible to dance and enjoy without hearing gunshots." The police are operating surveillance balloons, and signs are hung at events: "Respect the guests."
"We want to celebrate, but not at the expense of anyone's life": Over the years, the Arab community has suffered from the dangerous phenomenon of celebratory gunfire during weddings and events. The shooting, which is sometimes intended to express joy, has often ended in tragedy. Revelers, guests, and participants have been killed, others injured, and families have found themselves dealing with the harsh consequences of a single moment of irresponsibility.
Recently, a dramatic decline in the phenomenon has emerged thanks to various factors. Among other things, this involves increased police enforcement, alongside a rise in awareness within the Arab community and an attempt to fight the phenomenon from within. As part of a new policy, the police have increased supervision of weddings and events where there is a suspicion of weapon use. Police sources say that in cases where information is received about an intention to shoot during the event, the police may intervene immediately, stop the event, and act against those involved "even when it concerns the groom himself."
According to the sources, the scope of shooting incidents at weddings and events has dropped by more than 90% compared to previous years, when gunfire was heard almost daily in Arab localities. They attribute the sharp decline to the "aggressive policy" led by Commissioner Rav-Nitzav Dani Levy, who has placed the fight against the phenomenon at the top of the priority list. "The message the police want to convey is clear," they said: "A wedding is a place for joy and not for shooting, and the police will not allow a family event to be turned into a danger for the participants and the environment."
Alongside enforcement activities, a new social trend is also evident within the Arab community. In more and more weddings, signs are hung calling on guests not to bring weapons and not to shoot during events. Among the messages appearing on the signs: "Forbidden to shoot at a wedding," "Respect the guests," "Do not raise weapons," and "Celebrate without shooting." At the same time, the police note that the placement of balloons over Arab localities, as part of the monitoring and detection system, has helped increase deterrence.
Commissioner Dani Levy clarified: "The police will continue the zero-tolerance policy. We will act decisively against anyone who endangers public life by shooting during weddings and events. We will eliminate the phenomenon to the end because normal people deserve a quiet life with security. Anyone who shoots should know that within a short time they will be in prison."
Ahmad Mahamid from Umm al-Fahm noted: "Once, shooting at a wedding was almost a normal thing, and there were those who saw it as part of the joy. Today the understanding has changed. People are already saying clearly that we want to celebrate, but not at the expense of anyone's life." An event hall owner added: "We tell every family in advance that there is no place for shooting. We put up signs in the hall and the message is clear - whoever respects his guests does not bring a weapon to the event."
Recently, there has also been a decrease in the number of murders in the Arab community, although the data remained almost unchanged compared to last year. Since the beginning of 2026, 162 people have been murdered in the Arab community, while last year until August 23, the number stood at 165 victims. In the entire year of 2025, the number of murdered people stood at 255.
