Khazem: Prosecution reopened pain
Photo: George Ginsberg
Barakeh. To assist 12 detainees
Photo: Ido Erez
Shfaram to strike following lynch charges
Mayor says 12 men indicted for attempted murder of Jewish terrorist Natan Zada are innocent
Members of Shfaram's city council and a council for the city's bereaved families called an emergency meeting Sunday following the Haifa District Prosecution's decision to indict 12 Shfaram residents and to charge them with the attempted murder of Jewish terrorist Eden Natan Zada, who murdered four bus passengers there in 2005.
During the meeting council members decided to place the entire city, aside from its schools, on strike Tuesday.
Indictment
Four years after angry Shfaram mob beat IDF deserter who went on a killing spree to death, State indicts seven suspects for attempted murder; five others for aggravated assault on police officers, obstruction of justice and rioting. Arab MK: Indicted residents are heroes
"We had hoped that this case was behind us, but unfortunately the prosecution reopened this pain today," said Shfaram Mayor Nahed Khazem. "I want to remind everyone that Shfaram's people did not attack or kidnap anyone, it was the terrorist who came here and began the slaughter. He killed four and could have killed many more."
Khazem explained that the city's residents "wanted to provide a bridge for coexistence and not to return to places no one wants to go back to". He said the meeting had been called to determine courses of legal action.
Scene following attack on Shfaram bus (Photo: Gil Nehoshtan)
"We are hurting but committed to protecting the citizens of Shfaram and to make sure that these 12 detainees are found innocent," he said, adding that he had been receiving phone calls from both Arab and Jewish MKs showing their support.
The chairman of the council for the bereaved families, Ahmad Hamed, said the 12 men were undeserving of the charges against them. "We've appealed to all of the government's agencies to reconsider this," he said.
Hamed said seven of the 12 detainees were being charged with attempted murder and the additional five with assault on police officers. "The atmosphere in Shfaram is difficult, we cannot let this slide," he said.
Also present at the meeting was MK Mohammad Barakeh (Hadash), who said, "It is a difficult feeling when a victim is placed in the defendant's chair. If the prosecution acted with integrity when the terrorist is Arab I would understand, but unfortunately we are paying the price for a crime committed by a Jewish terrorist."
Barakeh added that he would provide the detainees with legal assistance, and that he meant to "organize a protest march against the double standard prevalent in the country".
