Kibbutz: We don't want Arabs
Kibbutz members planned to bribe Arab family who wanted to move to Jewish community
Arabs unwanted: Kibbutz residents have recently turned to a rightist Likud member in the hopes he can help them convince an Arab family from Nazareth to refrain from moving into a new neighborhood built at the community.
In 2000, Kibbutz Hasolelim opened its gates to families from outside the community. A family from neighboring Nazareth approached the sales office at the site but was told it does not meet the needed criteria, which among other things includes "army service."
In a recent meeting at the kibbutz, members were asked whether they wanted to live near an Arab family, and some "95 percent of those asked voted against the move," a kibbutz resident said.
Meanwhile, the upset Arab family turned to the courts. A recent High Court discussion on the issue resulted in a decision to refer the question to an Israel Lands Authority appeal committee.
Kibbutz turns to Feiglin for help
Meanwhile, after turning to a number of organizations, including the Jewish Agency and the Kibbutz movement, Kibbutz residents decided to turn to rightist Likud member Moshe Feiglin.
"Nobody wanted to touch this hot potato," said Moshe Sayag, who lives in the kibbutz neighborhood in question. "We understood we had no choice and therefore we turned to Feiglin. We asked him to raise funds in order to cause this family to think the matter over and give up," he added.
"Although most of us are leftist, it's clear to us that in such a small community the cultural difference can create a shock, and therefore we don't want them among us," he said.
"The kibbutz simply realized that the episode would end with a ruling in favor of the Arabs, so they turned to us," said Moshe Finkel, a personal friend and supporter of Feiglin.
Finkel was amazed by the request, and asked kibbutz residents what they expected him to do.
"After all, we (Feiglin's people) are considered to be thugs and criminals, so I asked them what they wanted us to do, to block off the road? They said no, and added they simply wanted us to donate money to bribe the Arab family. We have no intention of bribing anyone," Finkel said.
After being dismissed by Feiglin, kibbutz residents hope press reports would cause the family to "understand" and give up its plot.
Zohir Naara, a lawyer representing the family, said in response: "This is an Arab-Israeli family that is not undermining the existence of the country. The father of the family works for the State in the Agriculture Ministry."
"Unfortunately, they rejected them only because they are Arab. The minute you are a citizen of the country, no one has the right to choose who will be their neighbor. This issue is currently being discussed by an appeals committee, and if they reach the conclusion we want, the family will move to the kibbutz. If not, the matter will move to the courts."
