The Chief Rabbi of Safed Shmuel Eliyahu called Sunday for “peace and brotherhood between Jews and Arabs,” shortly after the northern district Prosecution decided to cancel an indictment against him for incitement and racism. The decision was made after consultation with Attorney General Menachem Mazuz and the State Prosecutor, on condition that Rabbi Eliyahu publicly apologize to the Arab sector.
“The Prosecution believes that the benefit of the Rabbi’s call, which contributes to the advancement of tolerance and mutual respect, is greater than that which would arise from holding a long court battle,” the Prosecution wrote in an explanation of why it was canceling the charges.
The rabbi was charged a few months ago for making severely racist comments towards the Arab sector in general and towards Arab students studying in Safed in particular, after the bombing attack on a bus in Mount Meron in August 2002. Eliyahu made the statements after a young Arab woman was arrested – a student attending a Safed college – who knew about the attack but failed to prevent it. Rabbi Eliyahu called for all Arab students to be expelled from the college and asked town residents not to rent them apartments.
'I call for peace and brotherhood'
According to the deal reached in the last few days between the prosecution and the rabbi’s attorneys, Eliyahu will publish a clarification in which he must explain that he did not mean to make racial slurs against the whole Arab public. The prosecution explained that if he makes similar slurs in the future, charges against him would be renewed. In two weeks another hearing will be held in which the prosecution will decide whether or not the rabbi kept his commitment to his side of the deal, and apologized publicly through the media.
“I am turning to all my listeners and supporters and asking to stress that I did not mean to hurt the Arab population, but terror supporters only,” Rabbi Eliyahu said Sunday during the hearing at the Nazareth court. “I want to add that if someone was hurt by my words, I apologize. I call for peace and brotherhood between Arabs and Jews, and between all peoples in the world. In this spirit I call on Safed residents especially to act respectfully towards Arab students that are citizens of this country, who don’t support terrorism and study in educational institutions in our area.”
Neta Sela contributed to the report
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