Arab sector to launch general strike Sunday

Arab-Israelis to shut down schools, businesses, local authorities on Sunday in attempt to fight State's Prawer Report, which calls for eviction of several Bedouin communities in Negev. 'Fed up with racist laws,' says protester

Hassan Sha'alan|Published: 12.10.11 , 23:25

The Arab sector plans to launch a general strike on Sunday in protest of the Prawer Committee's recommendations, which call for the eviction of several Bedouin communities in the Negev. Organizers expect thousands of people to rally outside government offices in Jerusalem, as Arab schools, businesses and local authorities will be shut down.

"Most of the people in the sector support the strike and they intend to honor it," Iman Haj Yahia, a Tayibe resident, said on Saturday in response to the State's plan to expropriate some 800,000 dunam (197,683 acres) of the Negev lands and uproot tens of thousands of residents from their homes.

"Land expropriation in the Negev is a very sensitive issue, especially at a time when there are racist laws against Arab Israelis," added Yahia.

He went on to call the Prawer Report "a transfer," adding "it's one big pillage. We won't allow the government to continue to humiliate us. We'll keep battling until we are heard."

Arab students are expected to stay at home on Sunday for the first general strike in the sector this year. "We're fed up with all the racist laws," said one Arab student.

Ziad Sharfah, a member of the parents' committee at a Baqa al-Gharbiyye school, also voiced his support for the strike. "It's a legitimate fight, and so we've decided to shut down all the schools in the Arab sector."

He warned the State's plan might lead to a violent clash between both sides. "It's purpose is to remove all the Arabs from the country, and any attempt to carry it out will lead to an Intifada. We must protect our existence and we're prepared for more strikes," vowed Sharfah.