Jaffa graffiti protests 'Jewish building'

Residents of Jaffa's Ajami neighborhood on Saturday stepped up their protest, after a court petition they filed to prevent the construction of a "Jewish only" building was rejected.

Local Arab residents were apparently behind the spray-painting of graffiti slogans such as "Jaffa is not Hebron," "Jaffa for Jaffa residents," "settlers be gone," and "enough with settlers."

The slogans were sprayed on the walls surrounding the construction site where the apartment building in question is to be erected.

Neighborhood Council Chairman Kemal Agbaria said that tensions were rising in Jaffa following the court's decision.

"We will hold a meeting on Monday in order to organize a big demonstration where we will display our power and determination in this struggle," he said.

"Jaffa's residents feel they are fighting for their home. This is not another public garden or school that is being built in an inconvenient location – this is much more than that, and therefore we will struggle the way people struggle for their homes," he added.

'Jaffa for Jaffa residents'. Graffiti in Ajami (Photo: Ofer Amram)

The Arab residents claimed in a petition submitted to the Tel Aviv District Court that the bid awarded to build the apartment building must be revoked, because the building's units are intended for Jews only, thus discriminating against the Arab residents of Jaffa.

Tel Aviv District Court Judge Yehuda Zaft rejected the petition on Wednesday and accused the petitioners of acting "in bad faith." According to him, "While speaking of the principle of equality, the petition clearly reveals that according to the petitioners' line of thought, it is appropriate to designate the lot to the sector whose best interest they seek."

According to Agbaria, the intended tenants – members of the national religious sector – will not manage to integrate into the area.

"I don't see the settler population fitting in here in Jaffa. We all see what is happening in Hebron. In Jaffa, we won't agree to this, and we will not become Hebron. Whoever wishes to live here will respect the Arabs who live here. There are Jews who come and respect us without any provocations," he said.