Jewish killer Zada
Shfaram marks attack anniversary
Hundreds of people hold rally in northern Arab town in memory of four local residents murdered by Jewish soldier; Arab Knesset Member Zahalka says killer was a radical who 'grew up in racist Israeli swamp'
Hundreds of people marked Tuesday evening the fourth anniversary of the Shfaram terror attack that left four Arab residents dead.
The ceremony, attended by relatives, residents, and Knesset members, was held against the backdrop of recent indictments against 12 locals over the lynching of the Jewish man who carried out the attack, Eden Natan Zada.
Speaking at the event, Arab community leaders claimed the 12 men were indicted randomly, as an "act of revenge."
Shfaram rally (Photo: Ido Erez)
"The cases opened against our sons should be closed, and instead they should launch proceedings against the radical settlers who aided the killer and against the army officer who knew that the killer defected with his weapon and did nothing," Knesset Member Muhammad Barakeh said. "
"When they served the indictments against them, I felt a sense of betrayal; a feeling that my blood was not being respected. My blood is red too," said one of the attack's survivors, Badia Sha'aban.
Shaa'ban recounted the moments of horror as she marched towards the monument erected in town to commemorate the murders.
"I fell asleep on the bus…I was awakened by the shooting sounds and hid between two seats. There were pieces of skin and blood around me. I sat there quietly until I saw his shoes. He moved closer to me and placed the gun on my neck. I was sitting there quietly, waiting to die. I don't know what happened, but no bullet came out. I grabbed the gun and started to struggle with him…someone jumped on him from behind and eventually I managed to get away."
"The sense of betrayal on the part of the State does not let go," she said. "When they served the indictments I felt they are treating us like second-class citizens; as if cats were murdered here and not human beings."
Knesset Member Jamal Zahalka also spoke at the event, charging that Zada is a radical who grew up in the "racist Israeli swamp."
"He got the inspiration for his acts from the mainstream of Israeli policy, be it Barak, Olmert, Livni, or Netanyahu who are responsible for the killing of thousands of Palestinians," he said.
