Posted on 03/09/2008 5:46:29 AM PDT by SJackson
Many Arabs in Jerusalem expressed fear over the weekend that Israel would retaliate for last Thursday's shooting attack at Mercaz Harav Yeshiva by denying them privileges they are entitled to as holders of Israeli ID cards.
Meanwhile, the family of Ala Abu Dhaim, the 25-year-old resident of Jebl Mukaber who carried out the shooting spree, reacted with mixed feelings to the involvement of their son in the attack. Some of them hailed him as a "hero" and "martyr," while others expressed fear that the attack would give Israel an excuse to impose strict measures against Arab residents of the city.
"This attack has caused huge damage to the Arabs in Jerusalem," said Hisham Shkirat, a resident of the neighborhood. "I'm very worried when I hear some people in Israel talk about expelling Arabs from the city in response to the attack."
As residents of Jerusalem, the 220,000 Arabs living in and outside the city are entitled to the same privileges as Israeli citizens, with the exception of voting for the Knesset.
Since they hold blue Israeli ID cards, the Arabs in the city enjoy freedom of movement and are entitled to social, economic, health and education services provided by the state.
Unlike Palestinians living in the West Bank, the Jerusalem Arabs are also entitled to drive cars with yellow Israeli license plates.
"I hope Israel does not resort to collective punishment following this attack," said school teacher Majdi Shweiki, who lives in Silwan. "I believe that the majority of the Arabs in Jerusalem would prefer to continue living under Israeli rule."
Shweiki said he was nevertheless concerned that some Israelis would exploit the attack to demand a tough policy against the city's Arab residents.
"In every society you have a minority of people who act against the interests of their people," he said. "But we must bear in mind that most of the Arabs here are peaceful."
Shweiki said young people such as Abu Dhaim were obviously affected by the scenes of dead children and women in the Gaza Strip during the IDF operation in the Gaza Strip last week.
"The Arab TV stations, specifically Al-Jazeera, broadcast many pictures from the Gaza Strip that had a negative impact on many people," he said. "I'm sure Abu Dhaim was also affected by the things he watched on TV."
An Arab lawyer living in the Bet Hanina neighborhood did not rule out the possibility that Israel would revoke the Israeli ID card from many Arab residents in response to the attack.
He warned that such a move would have "serious repercussions" and could drive more people into the open arms of the radicals.
"Revoking the ID card is tantamount to deportation from the city," he said. "Once you lose your status as a resident of Jerusalem, you would not be permitted to enter the city or any part of Israel."
The lawyer said that an Arab who lost his status as a resident of Jerusalem would also be denied payments from the National Insurance Institute, free health care and education.
"These are severe measures that could backfire," he cautioned. "When you deny people their rights, they will resort to violence."
In Jebl Mukaber, relatives of Abu Dhaim said they were surprised to hear that he had carried out the attack.
"Ala was a quiet man," said his cousin, Omar Abu Dhaim. "He was engaged and was supposed to get married this summer. We had no idea that he was planning something like this."
He also denied reports that Abu Dhaim belonged to Hamas or any other group. However, some residents said Abu Dhaim was known for his support for both Hamas and Islamic Jihad. "He was a very religious person," said one neighbor. "But we didn't expect him to carry out such a big attack."
On Friday, the police released Abu Dhaim's father, Hisham, and one of his uncles. The two were arrested shortly after the attack. The father used to work as an engineer for the Jerusalem Municipality.
Abu Dhaim's fiancée remained in custody over the weekend, as did a number of his relatives and friends.
One of Abu Dhaim's cousins, who asked not to be identified, said he was proud of Abu Dhaim, whom he described as a shahid (martyr). "We have nothing to apologize for," he said. "Ala did what he did because of the Israeli atrocities against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. This was a heroic operation that was carried out against radical Jews, some of them members of the Israeli security forces."
The Fatah-controlled media has also praised Abu Dhaim as a martyr, describing the attack as a heroic operation. Fatah's armed wing, the Aksa Martyrs Brigades, issued a statement in support of the attack.
One of the mukhtars (elders) of Jebl Mukaber, who also asked not to be identified, said he was worried by the fact that many residents of his village viewed the attack as an heroic act.
He said he and other village leaders phoned Israeli friends over the weekend to condemn the attack and ask that Israel refrain from taking retaliatory measures against the whole village.
"Most of the young men here work in Israel," the mukhtar said. "Some of them have already been told not to return to work and this is very worrying. We hope that Israelis will refrain from collective punishment."
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Unmentioned in the article is the fact that Israel offered citizenship to the Arab residents of East Jerusalem, known for centuries as the Jewish Quarter, in 1967, an offer which is open to this day. Most have turned it down, since citizenship requires swearing loyalty to Israel, which they're not willing to do. Deportation of terrorists and those who support them is perfectly reasonable.
The only response should be "You're right......you lose".
Well, I guess they do.
Arabs who disagree with this kind of barbarity shouldn’t be calling Israeli leaders: they should call their own media and leaders and tell them to stop encouraging and glorifying such vile acts. Israelis are justified to respond however they wish when the Arab culture considers such acts “heroic.” they need to reform from within, or come over and be part of the state of Israel.
Warning! This is a high-volume ping list.
It's interesting that Jordan banned a mourning celebration by his family there, Israel allows it.
. . . ???
“Arabs in Jerusalem expressed fear”?
From the appeasing lawyer Olmert?
You have to be kidding right?
Hell the Jews have been getting shelled with rockets since he
became boss and he has yet to lift a finger.
BiBi would have kicked their teeth in until they stopped this kind of b.s. and to hell with the world opinion.
are you telling me that they have taken the nation !!!
They wanted to have also bethlem and we are what dogs in a sect called the free man of galilea
what exacly is this a sect !!! and you are talking about hamas ... say what you want in the FREEREPUBLIC hihihih
Israel offered citizenship to Arab residents of the Jewish Quarter when it was captured in 1967, an offer that’s still open but should be closed. Those who didn’t accept, most since it requires swearing allegience to Israel, became permant residents.
Not one of these dirtbags expressed any regret or sorrow for the murders. What vermin, bring in the exterminators.
How about Israeli citizens show Hamas and Gazans how to do home-built rockets? The Israeli government should photocopy Hamas/PA statements about how the rockets are fired off by civilians and the civilians can't be found.
How long will Pali civilians support terrorism, once they become targets of terrorism? Ah, should I say, effective terrorism that kills dozens, hundreds or thousands?
Why haven't we seen Arab Muslim terrorism in the US, like they've seen in France, Denmark, Holland and other European States? Arab Muslims living here know Americans and know that Americans aren't going to stand for it and won't wait forever for their government to do something. Euro-natives are more passive than Americans, so it's safe to have riots, ambush police and creat 'no-go' zones in Euro-cities.
“Why haven’t we seen Arab Muslim terrorism in the US, like they’ve seen in France, Denmark, Holland and other European States? Arab Muslims living here know Americans and know that Americans aren’t going to stand for it and won’t wait forever for their government to do something. Euro-natives are more passive than Americans, so it’s safe to have riots, ambush police and creat ‘no-go’ zones in Euro-cities.”
Remember that Americans have Amendment #2 and the Europeans do not, and any Arab Muslim knows better not to mess with an American because of the right bear arms.
Arabs in Israel should not be concerned or worried. Israel will protect them same as any citizen.
Because last time they tried that they lost two Muslim countries. Islam understands power, not mercy.
Minus the sarcasm tag, that would scare the shiite out of me.
In reality, Arabs are far more protected than Jews in Israel. If a Jew threw a rock at an arab he would be in prison, Arabs can literally get away with murder.
Thanks for the response. Having a 2nd amendment and knowing that Americans can keep and bear arms certainly helps. But also knowing that when the Arab Muslims tried that terror effort ( 9/11), they ended up paying bigtime when they lost from their empire both Afganistan and Iraq.
Ask me if I care! They are free to leave..
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