Israel Police Superintendent Luba Samri, a Muslim serving as an officer in the police force, has become the department’s first head of the Arab Desk as well as the department’s Arabic spokesperson. Her responsibilities will be liaison with the Israeli Arab media, as well as the Arab press in the region, including in PA autonomous areas.

The 38-year-old officer explained “The Arab world is thirsty for this information,” praising the appointment, which she views as a major step forward for the Arab sector, “a small step for me but a giant step for a community that do date, viewed the police in a different light”.

She explained that the first weeks in her new position have already shown her just how much the Arab media is seeking information.

Luba began her career in Israel Police close to 20 years ago, as an investigator addressing domestic violence. Senior police officials who are members of the Arab community welcomed the decision, welcoming the decision to finally release official police information to the media in Arabic, a move they feel will open a new channel of dialogue and understanding, as well as presenting a clearer picture to the media as well as providing an additional service to Israeli Arabs who watch Arabic satellite news channels.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)