PA official: “Light punishment” encourages crimes against women

District Governor of Tulkarem Abdallah Kmeil: "You can't put a policeman in front of every house to protect women. Awareness is what protects the woman..."

Radio Bethlehem 2000 host: "There is no deterrence, the law does not deter, honestly."

Kmeil: "The point is the intensification of punishment against those who commit these crimes [against women]... When a man feels that the punishment is light, it might push him to commit the crime. So, if there is a severe punishment, he will think differently…"

Host: "Yes, let's hope there will be deterrent laws for these crimes."

[District Governorate of Tulkarem, Facebook page, Aug. 20, 2026]