Name of Initiative: Arab Society – Police Relations Initiative Goal: Improvement of the relationship between the police force and the Arab communities which it serves In cooperation with: Department of Community and  Civil Guard, Northern, Central and Southern Regions, Israel Police and MINHAL HEVRA V’NOAR (Arab Sector and Southern Divisions), Ministry of Education, Arab Local Authorities, N.Y. U.J.A. Federation Activities: Diversity and cultural sensitivity training programs for police staff, planning and problem-solving partnerships between local police and Arab community leaders, joint educational programs for neighboring Arab/Jewish communities

Background and Significance

The relationship between the Israeli Police and the Arab minority in Israel has always been complex and sensitive.  The events of October 2000 in which 13 Arab Israeli citizens were killed by Israeli police officers, plunged this relationship into an unprecedented state of antagonism and suspicion, and emphasized the need to build a new relationship based on mutual respect and trust.

The State Commission of Inquiry established by the government to investigate the events of October 2000 stated:

“From year to year, conflict between Arab citizens and the police worsens. Residual tensions that accumulated from these confrontations resulted in many casualties and increased feelings of hostility toward the police force. Community leaders and residents claimed that the police are seen only when they come to enforce policies based on discrimination and dispossession, and are viewed by the communities as oppressive thugs.  Police aggression has become de rigour, leading to the phenomena that local groups search out police presence in order to engage in conflict with them.  Attacking the police has become a legitimate activity among local youth, almost to the point of serving as a sign of “patriotism.” (Section I, Part A, page 137)

In 2002, following the publication of the State Commission of Inquiry's report, the Abraham Fund initiated the Community-Police program to reestablish non-hostile relations between the police and the Arab community by adopting and implementing a culturally-sensitive and equitable approach towards Israel’s Arab citizens.

In 2004, the Israeli police formally recognized the Abraham Fund as its official provider of educational activities on issues of democracy, civil rights, egalitarian service in a multicultural society, and instituted the Community-Police Initiative as part of the formal activities of its Human Resources Department. Additional branches and departments of the police have joined since the inauguration of the project. A joint Steering Committee comprised of representatives of the relevant police branches and The Abraham Fund was established in order to define the Initiative’s goals and coordinate its various activities.

The Community-Police Initiative aims to contribute to the implementation of the Orr Committee recommendations with regard to police- Arab community relations. This must be achieved by establishing relations based on mutual trust, equality and fairness, while deepening the cooperation between the Arab community and the police.

Activities:

• Training:
  • Training for police officers and the senior brass on issues of egalitarian services in a multicultural society with emphasis on Israel’s Arab citizens. Training is conducted in the National Police Academy, the Border Police School and the various police stations.
  • Improvement of community services for Arab citizens through one-day seminars, and the promotion of long-term programs with the professional branches of the police.

• Building Trust:
  • Institution of confidence-building processes between police decision-makers, the Arab community and its leadership through a series of joint training sessions for police commanders and Arab heads of local council.
  • Establishment of working teams at police stations in Arab communities in order to provide improved quality of life and personal security for the residents therein.  This project has been implemented in Rosh Ha’ayin, Zichron Ya’akov, Taibe, Lod and Iron.
    
• The Study of Spoken Arabic and Arab Culture in the National Police Academy

• Development of Policies and Models for Police Work in a Multicultural Setting:
  • Development of training programs for the National Police Academy for the provision of egalitarian, culturally sensitive services and normative police activities;
  • The study and development of civic society in general and Arab society in particular, in order to begin the process of building trust.

• Investigating and developing criteria for police recruitment in order to improve the accessibility of the Arab citizens of Israel to the police and to improve relations between the police and Arab society