Arab Citizens in Israel Stage General Strike Over "Unprecedented" Violence

A general strike shut down Arab towns and cities across Israel on Tuesday. The protest targets a sharp rise in violent crime and what community leaders call police inaction. Schools, businesses, and local government offices closed. Organizers say the strike highlights a crisis of violence, including homicides, that authorities are failing to control. Arab citizens, who make up about 20% of Israel's population, say their communities suffer from high crime and insufficient policing. Community leaders accuse the government of neglecting the problem. Israeli police say they are working to address the issue. Officials point to new operations and seized weapons. However, strike organizers demand an immediate national plan and more resources to stop the violence.