The shooting to death in Nazareth Tuesday of an Arab man and his toddler son sent shock waves around a country that is tragically not unaccustomed to news of the life-robbing criminal violence afflicting Israel’s Arab community.

Firas Heib (33) was declared dead on arrival at a local hospital. Despite doctors’ efforts to save his two-year-old son, Fares, he died too. Police said they believed the deaths were tied to “underworld activity”. Two suspects were reportedly arrested.

The double-murder brought to 110 the number of Israeli Arab citizens reportedly killed in mostly intra-Arab violence this year.

According to the Times of Israel, Arab communities have seen a surge in violence in recent years. At least 130 killings took place in 2021, an average of one murder every three days.

Many say the police are to blame for the out-of-control situation because they have failed to crack down on powerful criminal organizations and largely ignore the violence, which includes family feuds, mafia turf wars and violence against women.

Incoming Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has vowed to decisively fight the violence and crimes in the Arab community. Addressing the Christian Media Summit, a gathering of Christian journalists in Jerusalem, last week, Ben-Gvir said he has received calls from Arab mayors and leaders who want to combat the growing trend of Arab crime in Arab communities. “I will work with anyone as long as they reject terror,” he said.

The swearing in of the new Netanyahu government is expected to take place in the next few days.