Arab Village Latest Target Of Political Vandalism In Israel

[Purveyor]

By Batsheva Sobelman
June 18, 2013, 11:10 a.m.

ABU GHOSH, Israel -- Dozens of residents of this Arab village near Jerusalem woke up Tuesday to find their tires slashed and their walls spray-painted with hateful messages, their community the latest target of a series of politically motivated vandalism in Israel.

The late-night attack surprised residents of Abu Ghosh, known for its warm, neighborly relations with Jewish communities west of Jerusalem.

"Not in our worst dreams did we imagine this happening here,” said city official Issa Jaber. “Abu Ghosh has been an exemplary model of Arab-Jewish coexistence for decades."

President Shimon Peres spoke with the village mayor, Salim Jaber, and condemned the attack as "racist behavior which crosses a red line." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised action, saying the incident "contravenes the values of our people and state."

MORE...

http://www.latimes.com/news/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-israel-arab-village-vandalism-20130618,0,1346168.story

[oberliner]

1. Very glad that the Israeli leadership has spoken out against this

Peres and even Netanyahu with strong statements.

Hopefully the criminals will be caught and face justice for their crimes.

Tag Meir, a coalition of organization against hate crimes, will hold a rally in solidarity with the people of Abu Ghosh on Tuesday evening.

[Purveyor]

2. And yet then there is this: Israeli Politicians Protect 'Price Tag' Attackers

http://www.democraticunderground.com/113443678

[Scootaloo]

3. Ever heard the phrase "talk is cheap?"

Nice to hear about this Tag Meir group though.