Targeting of Arab minorities in Israel should be stopped – MRG
11 June 2010
Minority Rights Group International (MRG) expressed concern on Friday over recent threats and intimidation targeting members of Arab minorities in Israel. The incidents have occurred following mounting international criticism against the country for attacking an aid convoy.
Earlier this week, graffiti was found outside a mosque in Haifa that read, "slated for demolition," and, "there will be a war for Judaea and Samaria," which is the Biblical name used to refer to the occupied West Bank.
At least three Arab Israeli Members of the Knesset, Haneen Zuabi, Talab al-Sana and Ahmed Tibi, have also reportedly received death threats after the attack. The Knesset is the Israeli parliament.
'The Israeli government must investigate these incidents and take every possible measure to protect Arab minorities in these tense times,' Carl Soderbergh, MRG's Director of Policy and Communications, says.
On 31 May 2010, Israeli naval commandos attacked a flotilla carrying aid to the occupied Gaza Strip, killing nine people and wounding many others. The attack occurred in international waters.
Twenty percent, or 1.3 million people, of Israel's population are Arabs/Palestinians .