Even here, though, you are incomplete. Israel National News has already reported that two Arabs from Nazareth have been "arrested for attempted to spread the Carmel fire as the fire still raged."

We appreciate your efforts to tell the truth. We know it's not easy to go against the pervasive state of denial affecting some Israeli politicians, journalists, and other influencial citizens. Trying to suppress this uncomfortable truth is very detrimental to Israel's security. It's only by facing it and discussing it openly and calmly that you can create policies to prevent more tragedies. The country owes it to the victims. The wave of verbal attacks against religious Jews in the aftermath of these acts of arson was not worthy of a country that values life, truth and decency so highly.

Still, Non jew or Jew they must pay with serious time.

On the part of the Israeli governmment. In the name of PC Israel is burning and and the Arabs are fighting the war of 1948. Time for prison sentences and deportations.

1st we have an Interior Minister who won't accept responsibility for his failure to proeprly deal with and fund the fire service. 2nd we have rabbis demanding that Jews should not rent property to Arabs. 3rd we have a Foreign Minister demanding 'transfer' as a solution to the problems of our nation's relationship with its Arab minority. Then we have a loyalty oath. Then we have a bill proposing discrimination against Arabs in small communities. And in the midst of this we have an excuse for incendiary comments that whilst they point up a problem that needs resolving, also pretty explicitly incites further inter-communal flare ups. If there have been breaches of our laws then our legal system must be tasked to apprehend the law- breakers. But as that takes place, let's not blacken an entire minority community and use veiled threats of vigilantism. It wouldn't take much in this climate for a major ethnic eruption to break out.

the settlers who use exactly the same means against the Palestinians? As has happened so often, our enemies from without and within use identical means of terror, and have identical goals.

It comes as no surprise that Yoaz Hendel could not cite one case where a 'nationalistically motivated Arab bearing an Israeli ID card' was convinced of arson. It also comes as no surprise that Yoaz Hendel's article contains the words "apparently started" as obviously he has no proof to back up his claims. All Yoaz Hendel is doing is spreading anti-Arab sentiment and libel and even at that he is not doing it very well as his whole article lacks substance. Oh I am sure that there have been one or two cases over the years of "nationalistically motivated arson" by 'Israeli ID cardholding Arabs' but it is not the 'epidemic' that Hendel makes it out to be. In fact from reading the news reports over the years the main firebugs have been Israeli settlers and the Haredim, heck I could probably cite off hand about 15 reports over the last year or so where Jewish Israelis have torched fields, cars, olive groves, etc. I would also make the following observation: all countries have their fair share of pyromaniacs and these pyromaniacs generally commit arson for 'non-nationalist motivates' yet Israel (or rather elements with Israeli media) seems enthused to single out, with little or no proof, a minority ethic group for condemnation and scapegoating.

'nationalistically motivated Arabs'...seems like you've spent much time coining this term up. Your article is quite pathetic and not worth any merit. You need to smarten up and start writing something readable...like for example, something that's based on facts for a change. And Ynet, where the heck are your editors?!

The fact was a careless, irresponsible, smoking teenager, who caused it. Don't make everything a political cause. Let's say it could be any teenager - Jew or Arab - because there are so many of these kind of youth that this country is raising. Instead of pointing at Arabs, think how you can change the lack of moral values in this generation.

wose if nothing is done about and bills are shelved bc they are "rightist". its about justice not what team you plat for. enjoy watching your friends suffer because you were too much the ego maniac to think of your fellow loyal Israelis....

Why is it that we are afraid of confronting the arabs and keep bending and bending? Why is it that we still have Israelis like Ussishkin sitting sipping coffee and talking bad about Israel, thinking that this makes them look "intelligent"? We do need to stop the lies, we are not a western country! We are a country in war! Laws are different in those cases, who cannot understand that lives in a bubble!!! (not for long, Hezbollah is going for Tel Aviv)

"we have an Interior Minister who won't accept responsibility for his failure to proeprly deal with and fund the fire service" - Agreed 100%, but this has got nothing to do with the problem of Arab arsonists. "we have rabbis demanding that Jews should not rent property to Arabs" - Well, who exactly is 'we' here? A small fringe of the religious community? Let me answer this with your own words: let's not blacken an entire minority community. "we have a Foreign Minister demanding 'transfer' as a solution to the problems of our nation's relationship with its Arab minority" WRONG! Nobody suggests to move these people anywhere - they are to stay in their own homes and territories. Nobody takes anything from them. Only the border would move to the other side of their towns. And since these people view themselves as Palestinians, then why not let them be happily united with their Palestinian brothers, in the future "Palestine"? Calling this 'transfer' is a boldface lie. "Then we have a loyalty oath" -Which was mitigated into something less controversial, and at any case, does not affect the Arab citizens at all - only new immigrants. "Then we have a bill proposing discrimination against Arabs in small communities" - Personally I have no idea what are you talking about. And tell me, how would you characterize Arab discrimination against Jews wishing to purchase real estate in East Jerusalem, or in Arab communities? "And in the midst of this we have an excuse for incendiary comments" - What 'incendiary comments'? The reporting of the actual disturbing facts? I challenge you to find one 'incendiary comment' made by Yoaz Handel here. "pretty explicitly incites further inter-communal flare ups" - The only reason for the "inter-communal flare ups" are the flare ups caused by the arsonists in that particular community. "let's not blacken an entire minority community" - Nobody is blackening the entire Arab minority. Of course not all Arabs are arsonists. But virtually all arsonists in Israel are Arabs. "and use veiled threats of vigilantism" - What on earth are you talking about? I dare you to find one such 'veiled threat' in this article. And lastly, I bet that if this revolting YouTube clip Handel mentioned, would have wished for all Arabs to burn, then surely you'd have counted it in your anger list. But since it wishes this fate for Jews, of course you conveniently ignored it. Says a lot about your hypocrisy. (editors... 2nd attempt)

Continue being blinded by your beloved Arabs. Go on, "cite off hand about 15 reports over the last year or so where Jewish Israelis have torched fields,cars,olive groves,etc". Put your mouth where the money is.

You are repeating lies. There has never been any case of a Jew burning Arab crops. If you have any evidence or any lead, please go to the police.

We need here, more of your kind.

"virtually all arsonists in Israel are Arabs" - now there's a piece of not so veiled prejudice. "The only reason for the "inter-communal flare ups" are the flare ups caused by the arsonists in that particular community." No frequent Jewish marches on Umm-al Fahum? No discrimination in the work place? No single police officer responsible for the deaths in the October 2000 incidents? And finally the lie to the land:"Personally I have no idea what are you talking about. And tell me, how would you characterize Arab discrimination against Jews wishing to purchase real estate in East Jerusalem, or in Arab communities?" News of the Village Communities Admissions Bill didn't reach you? But you know about 'real estate purchases in E Jerusalem' - that's Ateret Kohanim no? There's communal harmony for you.

Birdi you are in no position to demand anything until you rise to the challenge to back up your statement on the "Back to square one" opinion article where you state that: "there are many more (countries) who do not agree to a Palestinian state". You were asked to "name these countries who do not agree to a Palestinian State and show me where these ‘many countries’ have stated that they do not agree to a Palestinian State"? You were also asked by Mat (USA) to "name ONE country which opposes a Pal state". Perhaps you should "put your mouth where the money is" before you ask other people too.

Arsonists in the Holy Land must be punished severely regardless of ethnicity. Even if they are Arab, they should be tried and sentenced by a non-Zionist tribunal. The forests must be preserved, because they will be an important natural and recreational resource even after final liberation of the Holy Land from Zionism.

Ah, the great one speaks.

Matty I dont demand anything. I have tried in vain to post my answer,with links, to your question on the article in question. Ynet refuses to publish my answer.

In my earlier post, I have exposed your demagoguery and poor line of reasoning (first, second and fourth paragraphs), I have also exposed you to be a liar (third, sixth and ninth paragraphs), and I have also exposed you to be a hypocrite (tenth paragraph). To all of this, you have failed to reply, thus validating these observations. Now for what you did respond. Indeed, virtually all arsonists who deliberately attempt to ignite forest fires in Israel, are Arabs. This is not prejudice, this is a plain fact of life, which has been taking place for many decades here. If you don't believe me, check the police records. As far as I remember, there was only one march of rightists Jews in Um El Fahm, which I too considered to be foolish. And yes, unfortunately prejudice does exist in the work place. However these factors, as severe as they may be, cannot be reasonably compared to the deliberate intention to burn and destroy. During the October 2000 incidents, the Arab rioters posed real imminent danger to the police forces, quite similarly to our soldiers on the Marmara, and thus they protected themselves. You can hardly blame Menny Mazuz who made the decision to close the case against the officers, of being a rightist. Also during these riots, a Jewish motorist was lynched by Arabs. Haven't heard of a single arrest there. Nor for the murderers of Nathan Zada (as despicable as he was – his killing was no self-defense). Though I've never heard of it, let us assume that indeed some Jewish communities in Israel decided to forbid Arabs from joining them. Indeed an ugly discriminatory policy. Now that we established this, would you care to comment on the DEATH SENTENCE given to Arabs who sell real estate to Jews in East Jerusalem? And about MK Tibi's statement that whoever sells land to a Jew, "sells his soul to the devil?" The hyporcisy keeps mounting on your part. (editors, 2nd attempt again…)