Latest news with #Arab-Israelis
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Three Arab-Israelis killed within hours of each other in crime-related incidents
This raises the death toll for Arab-Israelis to 146 since the start of the calendar year; 11 of the deaths were women. Crime-related violence is breaking new records in the Arab sector, as three people were killed in three separate incidents throughout Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, raising the sector death toll to 146 since the start of the calendar year, 11 of them women. Assad Kaaba, 51, from Jaffa, was killed near a cafe in the city. Magen David Adom paramedics who arrived at the scene pronounced him dead immediately. Per Ynet, eyewitnesses said he was killed while smoking a hookah. His assailants fired four shots at him from point-blank range. In the area of 'Ar'ara in the Negev, the bullet-ridden body of 48-year-old Aisha Kaaba was found in a valley near Highway 89. Paramedics pronounced her dead on site, with four bullet wounds to the head. She was married and had children, and worked in order to support her family. Israel Police later said it arrested four suspects in connection with her death: Her son, her brother, and two other family members. Police suspect that the death was the result of a "familial conflict." Violence in Arab-Israeli sector And, in Lod, Sliman Abu Ganam was shot dead in his car. The man, around 30 years old, was found by paramedics in a critical state and later died from his wounds. Three have been arrested so far in connection with his death. MDA paramedic Mendy Amitai said the team arrived quickly at the site and found it chaotic. The team arrived quickly at the site and found it chaotic. Additionally, two other shootings took place on Wednesday morning. A man in his 40s was moderately to seriously injured in Baka al-Gharbiya after walking out of a mosque, and in Jisr e-Zarka, shots were fired at the home of a widow. No injuries were recorded. As a result, Israel Police Commissioner Danny Levy called for an emergency meeting with the entire senior command staff of the police on Wednesday, following the rise in crime in the Arab sector in recent days.
Arabian Post
04-05-2025
- Arabian Post
Tourists sentenced in Red Sea killing amid regional strain
Two Arab-Israeli tourists have been handed lengthy prison sentences by a South Sinai court following their conviction in the fatal stabbing of an Egyptian tour guide at a Red Sea resort, a verdict that has drawn international attention against the backdrop of heightened regional hostilities. The ruling, delivered on Saturday, found the two individuals guilty of intentionally killing the Egyptian national during a confrontation at a beach resort in the city of Nuweiba. Prosecutors had charged them with premeditated murder and carrying out an attack that endangered public safety. According to court filings and officials familiar with the proceedings, the incident occurred during a heated altercation which quickly escalated into violence, leaving the guide with multiple stab wounds that proved fatal at the scene. The defendants, both Arab citizens of Israel, were on a holiday trip to Egypt when the incident unfolded. Their legal defence argued the act was not premeditated, claiming it stemmed from a misunderstanding over personal comments made during a beachside discussion. However, the court was unconvinced by the self-defence narrative, citing forensic evidence and eyewitness testimony suggesting the attack was both aggressive and deliberate. One of the convicted was sentenced to life imprisonment, while the second received a fifteen-year sentence, with both verdicts subject to appeal under Egyptian law. The sentencing has reignited discourse over the complex social and political positioning of Arab-Israelis in the region, particularly as travel restrictions and diplomatic sensitivities fluctuate in response to the Israel-Gaza conflict. Although tourism between Egypt and Israel has historically persisted even through periods of regional instability, this case is likely to deepen anxieties on both sides. Security analysts and diplomats warn of a growing unease among Arab visitors from Israel, who are increasingly viewed through a geopolitical lens rather than a civilian one, especially in politically tense zones like the Sinai Peninsula. See also AI Integration Propels DAMAC Properties' Revenue Surge This is not the first time tensions have flared in Egyptian resorts involving tourists from across the border. The Red Sea, a destination traditionally known for its seclusion from regional politics, has seen intermittent flashpoints. However, the escalation of Israel's military operations in Gaza since October has placed local authorities on high alert. Security has been significantly tightened in Sinai, with additional checks implemented on cross-border travellers. The Egyptian judiciary's firm stance on the case has also been interpreted as an attempt to send a signal of internal order at a time of external pressure. Cairo has been balancing domestic outrage over developments in Gaza with its longstanding peace agreement with Israel, while also maintaining its role as a mediator in ceasefire negotiations and humanitarian efforts. Observers note that while the legal outcome aligns with Egypt's existing penal code concerning intentional homicide, the broader implications may resonate more in the political and diplomatic spheres than in the legal domain. Civil society voices in Israel have expressed concern that the verdict could fuel existing prejudice against Arab citizens within the country and complicate their movements across the region. Human rights advocates have also raised questions about the legal representation afforded to the defendants and the degree of diplomatic support extended to them during their incarceration and trial. On the Egyptian side, there has been a marked effort by state-aligned media to highlight the judiciary's independence and the rule of law. The attack, which drew public outrage among local residents and workers in the hospitality sector, was described as a senseless act that endangered the country's vital tourism industry—a key economic pillar already under strain due to declining visitor numbers in parts of Sinai. Egypt's Ministry of Tourism has reiterated that the Sinai coast remains safe for tourists, while noting that isolated incidents of violence, though rare, are treated with the utmost seriousness. Tourism operators, particularly in South Sinai, are also re-evaluating visitor protocols in light of the incident, with discussions underway about potential guidelines for managing cultural or political disputes among international guests. The verdict comes at a moment when Israel's war in Gaza has pushed regional sensitivities to a boiling point, with a significant uptick in diplomatic fallout, public protests, and strained bilateral engagements. Although Egyptian officials have not directly linked the court's decision to the ongoing hostilities, analysts note that public sentiment in Egypt has been heavily influenced by the humanitarian toll in Gaza, which may indirectly affect the social environment for visitors perceived to be aligned with the conflict. This incident highlights the fragile line separating tourism from geopolitics in the Middle East. While both Egypt and Israel maintain open travel channels under their decades-long peace treaty, the practical implications of regional conflict are becoming more visible at individual levels. Arab citizens of Israel, already navigating complex identities within Israel, are now finding themselves subject to heightened scrutiny abroad. Legal experts say the defence may challenge the procedural aspects of the trial or appeal on grounds of intent classification, though such efforts may be hindered by the current climate and the strong forensic evidence submitted during hearings. The Egyptian penal system allows for appeals on both procedural and substantive grounds, and any modification to the sentence would need to pass through multiple judicial reviews. The jailed individuals are currently being held in a high-security detention centre in South Sinai, where they are expected to remain unless the appeal courts intervene. The Israeli consular presence in Egypt has yet to issue a detailed comment on the sentencing, though officials have confirmed that consular support is being provided.
The National
04-05-2025
- The National
Arab-Israeli tourists jailed for deadly assault at Egyptian Red Sea resort
Two Arab-Israeli tourists have been sentenced to five years in prison for an assault on hotel staff in Egypt that resulted in one person's death, officials told The National on Sunday. The assault took place in the Red Sea resort town of Taba last August. According to the judicial officials in South Sinai, the pair assaulted hotel staff with various items including wooden and metal sticks. It was alleged they had refused to pay for drinks at a popular Taba hotel, leading to the violent altercation. The defendants claimed their hotel reservation included drinks, but management disputed this. After a heated argument, the situation escalated into physical violence, with the two Arab-Israelis reportedly smashing glass doors and furniture. One of the hotel workers was killed and two others seriously injured. The incident also resulted in property damage estimated at 35,000 Egyptian pounds ($1,130). Police arrested the pair and they have been held in custody since an order from the country's top prosecutor in September for them to stand trial. The prosecution followed a wave of outrage from Egyptians over the incident, which was widely followed on social media. The case highlights tensions around tourist conduct in Egypt, which has sought to maintain stable relations with Israel despite public sensitivity over the Gaza conflict. Taba, a key border crossing, is a popular beach destination for Israeli travellers. The verdict, issued by a court in South Sinai province on Saturday, comes amid broader regional Arab-Israeli tensions, in light of Israel's ongoing war in Gaza that has thus far claimed the lives of over 50,000 civilians amid an ongoing blockade of aid and essential humanitarian supplies. Neither Israel's foreign ministry nor the individuals' families have issued public statements on the incident. However, Israeli media noted the incident contrasts with generally positive reports of Egyptian hospitality toward Israeli visitors.
