Nazareth: 77 Days Without a Murder in a Formerly 'Bloody' City
In recent weeks, the residents of Nazareth have been feeling a sensation that was foreign to them for a long time - personal security. In the city, which led in the number of violent incidents and which the police define as a "microcosm of Arab society in the north," no murder incidents have been recorded for over two months. The police clarify: "The road is still long."
In recent years, Nazareth "led" in terms of the number of murders, but in the last 77 days, not a single murder has occurred in the city, giving residents a feeling they have not felt for a long time: personal security. This decline is attributed to increased activity by the Northern District Police in most neighborhoods, focusing on areas where criminals reside.
"We hope it continues this way. Almost every week people were murdered here, alongside dozens of cases of shooting at homes and businesses," residents said. They testify to a certain calm and hope that the police will continue to act with an "iron fist" against all crime.
Police are operating in the area with increased forces, seizing weapons and ammunition almost daily. In the last two weeks alone, they have seized about 13 pistols, magazines, and additional ammunition. Furthermore, an operation was carried out to remove security cameras installed by the Bakri crime organization on commercial properties to monitor public spaces, vehicle movements, and police activity.
As part of recent operations, a suspect was caught after attempting to flee on a scooter; officers found an FN pistol and a Colt revolver in his possession. In another incident, patrol officers seized an FN pistol during a routine check. In both cases, the Northern District Attorney's Office has filed indictments with requests for detention until the end of legal proceedings.
Examples of weapon seizures at the Nazareth police station since July 23:
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July 23: Glock pistol, two full magazines.
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July 26: "Carlo" submachine gun, two long magazines, five full M16 magazines.
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July 29: FN pistol, noise pistol, M16 magazine.
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Aug 1: Loaded FN pistol (13 bullets) and a loaded revolver (6 bullets).
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Aug 2: FN pistol, full magazine.
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Aug 4: Desert Eagle pistol with a magazine.
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Aug 9: Glock pistol with magazines, plus a pistol with loose ammunition.
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Aug 10: "Carlo" submachine gun, three magazines, and ammunition.
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Aug 11: Two Glock pistols with full magazines and boxes of ammunition.
Brigadier General Ran Ophir, commander of the Amakim sector, stated: "The Israel Police and the Northern District are waging a stubborn and uncompromising war against criminals and crime families in Arab society. Nazareth constitutes a microcosm of the reality of Arab society for us. We are directing significant resources there, including hundreds of officers from the Northern District, Magav, and the National Guard."
The police noted: "As District Commander Major General Meir Eliyahu previously declared, after the severe blow to the Bakri crime organization, the next stage is the root treatment of local criminals. The road ahead is still long, but the goal is clear: to eradicate crime and return security and quiet to the streets."
