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Arab demonstrators in Wadi Ara

Israeli Justice Minister berated at Ramadan iftar meal

Demonstrators in Wadi Ara wave Palestinian flags, tell Justice Minister Shaked she is not welcome, and curse the 200 Arab lawers she met with; Shaked nevertheless offered her best wishes on the 'blessed month of Ramadan'

Dozens of people demonstrated in Wadi Ara against the participation of Minister of Justice Ayelet Shaked with 200 Arab lawyers in an iftar, the evening meal when Muslims break their daily Ramadan fast on Wednesday evening.

 

 

The demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and shouted, "We don't want to see you in Arab towns."

 

The iftar was organized by the Haifa District Bar Association. The lawyers who came to the dinner were also cursed by demonstrators, with one of them shouting, "You're a traitor sitting down to eat with a racist. Back out or we'll ban you."

 

Arab demonstrators in Wadi Ara (Photo: Ido Erez)
Arab demonstrators in Wadi Ara (Photo: Ido Erez)

 

Demonstrators screamed at a group of women who entered the meeting, "Are you not ashamed? It's a shame you cover your hair. I would be better to remove it before entering. By meeting with the Minister you give support to her racist ways."

 

Also invited to the iftar were Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit and Supreme Court President Miriam Naor. Shaked, when asked to comment on the protest, said only,"I'm for democracy". She greeted those present in Arabic: "Our Muslim brothers, best wishes on the occasion of the blessed month of Ramadan. May we celebrate it again, when a full and just peace prevails throughout the country".

 

Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked at the iftar meal
Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked at the iftar meal

 

Shaked said further, "We are obliged to remember that despite the differences that exist between us, we are all striving together to establish a model society that will exemplify the values of compassion and helping the weak."

 

Ahmed Khalifa, an attorney who refused to participate in the meal, said, "I am one of those who initiated the protest. Everyone knows Minister Shaked's positions regarding Arabs and her statements about us...Her party is a party of settlers and her constituents live on Arab lands."

 

On the other hand, lawyers who participated in the meal said, "Everyone has the right to express their opinion and demonstrate, but to curse us in such a manner - we have never seen anything like it. It's a disgrace that there are people like that among us. They are destroying Arab society."

 

Police on Wednesday arrested a Hadash activist in Haifa on suspicion that he posted a picture of Shaked in an SS uniform online. After an investigation, he was released under restrictive conditions.

 

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 06.23.16, 10:30
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