Israeli Arab Society Suffers From Culture Of Violence, As Leaders Grapple To Quell Assaults

‘Not a problem of illegal firearms’

Philip Carl Salzman, emeritus professor of anthropology at McGill University in Montreal, told JNS, “In a society that makes strong in-group/out-group distinctions, which is typical of tribal societies, bringing in outside agencies that cross ethnic boundaries is likely to stoke resentment and resistance.”

“Ideally, mobilizing the local population—and strengthening and supporting local police—would limit resistance,” he said. 

“What this is is not a problem of illegal firearms. On the contrary, the population likely wants to defend itself; taking away its firearms leaves all of the power in the hands of the criminals.”

Salzman describes in his book, Culture and Conflict in the Middle East how resorting quickly to violence is part of Arab culture and its tribal roots. Historically, if members of society would not stand up for their rights, “they were regarded as weak” and “others would not be afraid of offending them.” He also explained how the process of collective responsibility in Arab society works. For example, small groups face other small groups, and mid-sized or large-sized groups face off against another of equal size in a confrontation. This translates into “family vs. family, lineage vs. lineage, clan vs. clan, tribe vs. tribe, confederacy vs. confederacy, sect vs. sect, the Islamic community [umma] vs. the infidels.”

Therefore, beyond the criminal element of Arab on Arab violence is the cultural, tribal element such as family and clan feuds.

Halul didn’t deny that the police should be doing more to get the violence in the Arab sector under control, saying he agreed with those calling for military and Shin Bet intervention to round up weapons inside Arab towns. However, he warned, this would not be enough to stop the intra-Arab violence since it also requires “changing the culture of hatred, violence and the law of the jungle.”