First Israeli-Arab Suicide Attack Leaves Israelis Questioning Loyalty...

AFP ^

[RCW2001]

Tuesday, September 11 12:19 AM SGT First Israeli Arab suicide attack leaves Israelis questioning loyalty JERUSALEM, Sept 10 (AFP) - Mohammad Salah Hbeishi, the first-ever Israeli Arab to carry out a suicide bombing, has sparked fresh doubts in Israel about the loyalty of the nation's million-strong Arab minority. The 48-year-old from the Arab town of Abu Sanan in the northern Galilee, who killed three others and wounded 36 at a crowded train station on Sunday, is one of a number of Israeli Arab activists linked to radical Palestinian groups which have sprung up in recent weeks. "For much of the public, a suicide bomber among the Israeli Arabs is a nightmare that has come true, a shahid (martyr) in the nation's back," commentator Hemi Shalev said in Monday's Maariv paper. He compared the incident to the Jewish majority's surprise at clashes between Israeli Arab demonstrators and police at the start of the Palestinian uprising nearly a year ago, which left 13 Israeli Arabs dead. "The same way that the October events in the Arab sector threw the Jewish public off balance no less, and perhaps even more than the entire Palestinian intifada put together -- so the appearance of a suicide bomber who is an Israeli citizen will necessarily lead to a sharp rise in the level of fear." Neil Frisch, a professor at the Begin-Sadat Centre for Strategic Studies insisted Monday that the attack was "not novel," and that most Israeli Arabs don't share the same sentiments as Hbeishi. There are "relatively cordial relations between Israeli Arabs and the Jewish majority, when one looks at other binational conflicts," he said, adding only 30 Israeli Arabs have been convicted for terrorist activities in the past ten years. "We know that prolonged and intensive conflicts between Palestinians and the Israeli state across the Green Line brings about greater political violence amongst Israeli Arabs, relatively speaking," he said. "We saw it in 1988 and we are seeing it again," said Frisch, referring to the last Palestinian intifada or uprising. Israeli Arabs have proven just as suprised as the Jewish majority, as one Abu Sanan resident told AFP. "Nobody could have imagined that a resident from our village would do such a thing, especially since he was middle-aged," said the man, who asked not to be named. Hbeishi's deadly attack comes on the heels of the arrest of four youths who had been recruited by "tanzims" for a August 31 bomb attack at the Golani crossroads which caused no injuries. "Tanzim" is Israel's term for armed groups linked to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement. A statement issued by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's office after the arrests added to Israeli apprehension. "The ISA (Israel Security Agency) wishes to call attention to the risks stemming from connections between the Palestinian population in the 'territories' and Israeli Arabs," the statement said. "This connection is currently being exploited by terrorist organizations which are seeking to rupture the delicate seam in relations between Israeli Arabs and the state," it said. Israeli Arabs, Palestinians and their descendants who stayed on the land after the creation of the Jewish state in 1948, make up nearly 20 percent of the population with more than one million people. Alex Fishman, of the top-selling Yediot Aharonot daily, wrote Monday that most Israeli Arabs are not activists. But he warned that they "provide the envelope of hatred, the feeding ground that gave life to the suicide bombers."

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[veronica]

Arab Israeli terrorists are as "Israeli" as Tim McVeigh was a "loyal American."

[RCW2001]

Arab Israeli terrorists are as "Israeli" as Tim McVeigh was a "loyal American."

Does this mean then "these" terrorists will arrested and given a trial or will it be "missile attack" type of "Justice"... LOL!

[veronica]

Does this mean then "these" terrorists will arrested and given a trial or will it be "missile attack" type of "Justice"...

If they surrender they will get a trial. If they don't...they will get what the SLA got from the US govt. when THEY refused to surrender.

[theKing]

Just so that there will be no misunderstanding.

It is as inaccurate to say that all Arab Isreali citizans are terrorists because of Mohammad Salah Hbeishi as it is to say that all European American citizans are terrorists because of Timothy McVeigh.

[nothingnew]

The 48-year-old from the Arab town of Abu Sanan in the northern Galilee,

Perhaps a long time plant?...

FMCDH

[waxhaw]

One of the Jewish lesser prophets, Hosea, says it best "Israel has sown the wind and will reap the whirlwind." (Any flamers... please take it up with Hosea and his Boss).

[BenF]

No flames, but why don't you comment on WHY Hosea says these things?

The answer is simple. Because Israel did not obey HaShem. Once they do, and deal with the children of Ishmael and Esau appropriately, then .....

If you're truly familiar with Hosea, you know how it ends.

[BenF]

I truly hope the anti-"Israel" types don't take exception to the Israelis questioning the loyalty of the Israeli Arabs. Especially since some of them throw the phrase "Israeli-Firster" around with wild abandon and without any provocation similar to suicide bombers.

[Castlebar]

I thought I heard on the radio that the deceased Arab Israeli had two wives. This introduces the possibility that his suicide may have been a logical personal decision and the surrounding passers-by were just unlucky.

[BenF]

ROTFLMAO

[Bassam_Abu_Sharif]

You seem to be very critical of other's thoughts on this issue. What specifically do you propose as a solution to Jewish-Arab relations? Specifics please. What would you do if you were in charge?

[blam]

"...they will get what the SLA got from the US govt. when THEY refused to surrender." SLA=Symbonese(sp) Liberation Army?

[Thinkin' Gal]

The 48-year-old...

A little old to be at the bottom of the Jihad food chain. Or maybe he fried one too many falafel balls and just snapped?

[Libertarian_4_eva]

"You seem to be very critical of other's thoughts on this issue. What specifically do you propose as a solution to Jewish-Arab relations? Specifics please. What would you do if you were in charge?"

I think the united states and europe should agree that the middle east, north ireland and many of the communist states in africa should be nuked then we can get back to watching the super bowl on TV and building spaceships and we don't have to worry about it anymore.

[apackof2]

Arab Israeli terrorists are as "Israeli" as Tim McVeigh was a "loyal American."

Exactly!

[BenF]

You seem to be very critical of other's thoughts on this issue.

Well, this is hardly a pleasant way to start off a conversation. I don't think I've been "very critical" at all. Sorry you feel that way.

What specifically do you propose as a solution to Jewish-Arab relations? Specifics please. What would you do if you were in charge?

It is a complex situation requiring a complex solution. Most importantly, Jews both in Israel and the US have to understand that without a Torah orientation, any proposed solution to Israel's relationship with the world, not just the Arabs, is bound to fail. Israel must resign from the UN, and get off the US dole as quickly as possible. I'm not sure how the latter could be accomplished easily, but it must begin asap. As part of the process of returning to authentic Judaism, the Sanhedrin must be re-established and a Constitution, based on Torah principles, must be enacted.

The Arabs, and the rest of the world, must then be treated according to the principles of the Torah. As to what those are specifically, find yourself an Orthodox Rabbi who will explain them to you much better than I can.

[Blunderfromdownunder]

Ah, so you want a Jewish theocracy like Iran...Nice.

[BenF]

Ah, so you want a Jewish theocracy like Iran...Nice.

Pathetic attempt on your part to defame Judaism. Sorry, if you knew anything about the Torah you would not make this moronic comparison.

Have a nice day.