Last week's protest
צילום: גיל יוחנן
Druze step up protest, say 'tired of gov't stalling techniques'
Druze, Circassians resume anti-discrimination demonstrations, demand PM Netanyahu delivers on his promise to help struggling local councils. Situation 'close to eruption,' they warn
The Druze and Circassians communities resumed their social protest Tuesday, as dozens rallied in several of northern Israel's intersections, causing local gridlocks.
The communities are protesting what they define as the government's ongoing neglect and discrimination against them. Last week they organized a mass demonstration in front of the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, which quickly turned into a riot.
The rally was dispersed only after Druze leaders met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but now they say they are tired of his "stalling techniques."
Tuesday's demonstrations saw protestors wave signs reading, "Government of Israel, don’t abandon the Druze and Circassian communities."
Salah Fares, head of the Druze and Circassian Forum told Ynet that "the protest will escalate every day, until we are given full equality."
The Forum demands that the debts accumulated by its local councils be written off, and that the various issues plaguing them be resolved. So far, however, and despite the prime minister's promise, they have not been given answers.
Forum's meeting with Netanyahu (Photo: GPO)
The Forum was promised answers within a week, but according to Fares, all his calls to the Prime Minister's Office were met with more stalling.
Fares added that Eyal Gabai, director-general of the Prime Minister's Office, told him that representatives of the Interior Ministry would meet with delegates from each local council individually, "but it was agreed that the solution would be handled by the Treasury.
"They can't keep stalling anymore. This time we demand immediate action and solutions," he stated.
The Forum held an emergency meeting in the Druze village of Beit Jan in the Upper Galilee on Sunday night, and decided to resume the protests.
Fares told Ynet he also intends to create a Knesset lobby for the cause: "I want to meet with Knesset member and ministers and explain that the situation is close to eruption. They won't be able to say I didn’t warn them."
Hagai Einav contributed to this report
