Adviser to Israel’s education minister, former Knesset candidate, shot dead

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A former candidate in this year’s Israeli election was shot and killed on Sunday in Rameh, an Arab town in Israel’s north, as he sat in his car next to his home.

Police have launched a murder investigation in the death of Saher Ismail, a 50-year-old Rameh resident.

Ismail ran on the election slate for New Hope, the party created by Gideon Sa’ar after breaking off from Likud, in March.

Saher Ismail.Facebook

After the formation of the government in June, Ismail served an adviser to Education Minister Yifat Shasha-Biton, who said in a statement that she was shocked by the death.

Sa’ar meanwhile called Ismail a close friend and partner, describing him as “an honest and brave leader, a true friend.”

Arab leaders skeptical as Israel’s top cop seeks out more Arab officers amid crime surge

Israel police solved 71 percent of murders in Jewish community, but only 23 percent for Arabs

So, where is all the money Israel earmarked for the Arab community?

Since the beginning of the year, at least 70 people have been murdered in the Arab community.

As of last week, police had helped solve only 23 percent of murders in the Arab community this year, compared with 71 percent of murders in the Jewish community. Last year, only one-third of the 97 murders of Arabs produced indictments, while two-thirds of the 44 killings in the Jewish community were solved.