100 Israelis rally against rise in anti-Arab vandalism

Some 100 Israelis rally outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Jerusalem residence calling on law enforcement to act against the recent uptick in “price-tag” attacks against Palestinians.

The protest is organized by Tag Meir, a grassroots organization created in 2011 to fight hate crimes in Israel and the West Bank.

Demonstrators spray-paint on a piece of cloth some of the hate slogans graffitied on Palestinian property throughout the West Bank. On the other side of the cloth, the dovish activists spray-paint messages of hope and peace.

Among those attending the rally is Zionist Union MK Amir Peretz, who called on the government and the Shin Bet security service to “treat these people as terrorists for all intents and purposes.”

“As we fight against Muslim terrorism, we have to fight them. Our religion connects rather than divides,” Peretz says, referring to the ultra-nationalist perpetrators of seven price-tag attacks in as many days. The vandals have spray-painted various biblical phrases on much of the Palestinian property that they have defaced.

“The right-wingers in Israel and the prime minister must know — these people are hurting you as well,” Peretz concludes.

— Jacob Magid

Zionist Union MK Amir Peretz (L) at a rally against a rise in so-called price tag attacks against Palestinians. April 23, 2018 (Yossi Zamir/courtesy)

Activists rally outside the Prime Minister’s Residence against the uptick in anti-Arab hate attacks in recent weeks. April 23, 2010 (Yossi Zamir/courtesy)

Activists rally outside the Prime Minister’s Residence against the uptick in anti-Arab hate attacks in recent weeks. April 23, 2010. (Yossi Zamir/courtesy)