Disturbing Report
Aussie Dave | Mar 17, 2005 | 6 comments
Ha’aretz reports:
Some 40 yeshiva students from a West Bank settlement attacked a group of eight Palestinian laborers on Thursday morning, wounding at least five of them.Jewish students in Nahliel threw stones at the Palestinians and attacked them with clubs, who were contracted to work in the West Bank settlement located west of Ramallah.The wounded Palestinians, one of them in serious condition, were evacuated to a Ramallah hospital.Police are investigating the attack.
If this is true (and given the recent demonization of residents of the disputed territories, I cannot be sure), then I suggest these students focus more on their Torah studies. They seem to be rather weak on the whole “treating your fellow person as you would like to be treated” concept.
Deliberately attacking PLO Arabs (or indeed anyone) doing nothing more than working is morally reprehensible. If they were, say planting a bomb, then my position would be different. However, there is no indication of this from the report.
Besides the moral implications, these students are undermining Israel. They are not only playing in to the hands of opponents of residents of the disputed territories (who would like to portray all the residents as violent thugs), but also giving the PLO Arabs an opportunity to claim that ‘settlements’ are a huge problem (when, in reality, I don’t believe they are).
About the Author
An Australian immigrant to Israel, Aussie Dave has been blogging since early 2003.Filed Under: General
Stories like this are why I am not right wing. On the flipside stories of left wing cruelty, make me want to disassociate with the left. It looks like I am falling back into the Israeli tradition of being a pessimist cynic who isn’t on the left or right but certainly isn’t in the useless center. I guess as long as civil war doesn’t break out and we keep hold of our morality things are looking good.
You needn’t label yourself, but rather take positions on certain issues.
But it is a shame that these alleged thugs could give all residents of the disputed territories a bad name. Especially since the majority of residents would deplore such actions.
I’d say it is likely to be true, unfortunately. Must’ve been guys from the Kach crowd. They are the reason why I never attend any right wing public events- I would loathe to find myself in the same line with guys who think that every Arab deserves a beating. Not to mention that these morons keep supplying the enemies of Israel with rhetorical ammunition.
Exactly my thoughts, Womble.
I agree wholeheartedly with all comments condemning this act of stupidity and thuggery. But isn’t it amazing, that although this incident is serious, its nothing compared to the constant acts of barbarism conducted by the PLO Arabs, which more often than not, result in horrendous injuries and dismembered bodies?
I’d like all those who run quickly to condemn Israel,to remember this incident, where the perpetrators were hailed as heroes by their community.
The double standard just burns.
Absolutely, Scott.