DocMossawaReport

Special Report

"BLACK OCTOBER"

Israel Slaughters its Own Citizens

Prepared by

Mossawa Center

The Advocacy Center for Arab Palestinian Citizens of Israel

mosawa@rannet.com

Tel: 972-4-8528063

The Killing of Arab Citizens living in Israel by the Israeli Government

"All persons are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to the equal protection of the law. In this respect, the law shall prohibit any discrimination and guarantee to all persons equal and effective protection"

(Article 26 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ICCPR)

We, the Arab community activists, local council representatives, political party representatives, and representatives of NGOs living in Israel, are deeply concerned about the outrageous, violent violation of our rights as citizens and as human beings. We are in need of protection from the massive killing by Israeli forces.

Confrontation between Arab citizens in Israel and the Israeli police has reached a powerful momentum. Approximately one million citizens of Israel are not receiving their rights simply because of their Arab ethnicity. The Israelis' excessive use of force is a clear reflection of Israel's violation of basic rights, including movement, expression, and speech.

When do we, the Arab population appear on the agenda? The answer to this question lies in the increasing unemployment rates, poverty, deteriorated health conditions, severe housing conditions, land expropriation, and a diminished budget for education. All the conditions listed above are the highest in the Arab population worldwide, and the list keeps growing. What is next for our people? What other obstacles do we have to endure until we receive respect, equality, peace and justice?

It is time to reduce our frustration and that of our youth. We are asking Barak's Government for the immediate provision of equal access to develop our basic human and civil rights for the Palestinian minority. We are asking him for sufficient structural and financial support necessary to develop our communities including; expanding our jurisdiction to aid in natural development, re-zoning lands where necessary, and equality for Arab localities in developmental initiatives in comparison to the Jewish communities.

The Israeli government refuses to recognize the Palestinians as a national minority. The Israelis identify the Palestinians in Israel as "Arab Israelis". This is a tactic to deny the Palestinian people of their national existence. The Israeli State doesn't intend on integrating the Palestinian citizens, but instead, they are attempting to place them in the margins of Israeli life by means of negligence. In any degree, the Palestinian citizens are denied from ruling and monitoring their lives. At the same time, the Palestinian minorities are denied from developing an individual, liberal Palestinian organization.

The Israeli government considers the Arab society as "the enemy" in the continuing conflict between the Arabs and Jews. Since 1948, Israel has been under emergency regulations. Many laws written under the Legislative Branch are still in effect toward the Arab citizens, as stated in "BLACK OCTOBER"

*What kind of 'civil society' are we building in this military state when nine young Palestinian citizens were killed within a 24 hour time frame?

How did all this start ?

September 28th 2000

The right wing Likud leader, Ariel Sharon, accompanied by 3,000 military police, forcefully attempted to enter the AKSA mosque, which is located on the eastern side of Jerusalem. The AKSA is the third, sacred place in the Islamic religion.

The police had brutally beat Arab citizens, including Arab members of the parliament, who were trying to prevent Sharon's entrance.

September 29th 2000

Friday is the most sacred day in the Islamic religion. Every Friday, Muslims from all across the country (including WB and Gaza), gather in the AKSA for prayer. On Friday, September 29th, after prayer, the crowd gathered outside the AKSA to protest Sharons visit. During their protest, military forces attacked causing over 100 injuries and many fatalities.

September 30th 2000

The Supreme Follow Up Committee of Arab Citizens in Israel declared a nationwide strike on the following day (Oct. 1st), which was the Jewish New Year.

The news spread on the attempted entrance of the AKSA by Sharon throughout the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Demonstrations were organized and implemented throughout the streets of WB and Gaza to express their frustration and anger. While demonstrating they were attacked by Israeli forces causing many fatalities and severe injuries.

In the mist of the attack, a mere child, Mohammed Durrah (age 12), was shot and killed in cold blood in his fathers arms while hiding in a corner. Due to the worldwide airing of the brutal murder of Mohammed Durrah and the incident of the AKSA, the Arab citizens living in Israel began demonstrations

Sunday October 1st Friday 6th 2000

Um El-Fahem- The municipality organized and implemented a legal demonstration. At the main road, police forces attacked the demonstrators by the use of tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition; ten were injured and three murdered. Those murdered are as follows: Ahmad Ibrahim Siam, 19 years old, from Mouawia; Mohammed Jabarin, 24 years old, from Um El-Fahem and Mosleh Abu Jrad, 20 years old from Dir Elbalah.

The injured included the mayor of Um El-Fahem, Sheikh Ra'ed Sallah, who encountered a blow to the face, by Israeli forces, during the demonstrations.

The main road of Wadi 'Arrah was closed by the police forces in response to the demonstrations. In reaction, many towns and cities organized demonstrations to express their sympathy and condemnation of the situation in the WB, Gaza, and Um El-Fahem.

Arabeh (located in the Galilee)- A mass demonstration turned into violent clashes when police forces began firing shots at the demonstrators. These clashes lasted many hours. Rubber bullets and tear gas, used against the demonstrators, injured many and killed two teenagers; Alaa Khaled Nasser and Asil Hasan Asleh from Arabeh.

Sakhnin- On the evening of October 2nd, citizens demonstrated near an army camp, which was built on Sakhnins' lands. During the demonstrations, two young men were killed; Emad Faraj Ganaiem and Walid Abdil Mone'm Abu Saleh.

Nazareth- A mass demonstration turned into all day clashes. Tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition were utilized by police forces. Due to the equipment exercised by the police, ten were injured and taken to local hospitals and one murdered; Iyad Saleh Lwabanie.

Police forces violently beat Dr. Nisreen Khoury and her sister Ms. Khawla Khoury while they were standing in solidarity with demonstrators in Nazareth. The two sisters were beat with the back end of guns and batons; they were threatened by police forces and kicked repeatedly to an unconscious state. As bystanders came to their aid, police forces randomly shot, point blank, at them.

On October 2nd, Dr A'amer Ramadan and his wife attempted to visit a relative's home when their car was shot at by police forces. Mrs. Ramandan was shot numerous times, causing severe injuries to her chest and arm. Dr. Ramandan exited the car, and pleaded for them to hold fire and to call for assistance. They ordered him to lie on the ground face down as they left the scene without calling for assistance. Mrs. Ramadan has undergone three operations and remains in critical condition at Rumbum Hospital in Haifa.

Jatt (located in the Center)- A mass demonstration turned into violent clashes when police began shooting at demonstrators, that lasted all day. Live ammunition was used by police, which resulted in the death of Hatem Gara, 21 years old.

Majd El-Krum- A mass demonstration, which in turn resulted in violent clashes with police forces, reached the main road of Akko-Safad. More than 10 people were injured, and one that required hospitalization from a shot to the chest, point blank, from a rubber bullet, by police forces.

Dir El-Assad (across the road from Carmel)- Demonstrations and clashes were encountered resulting in many injuries including severe burns from a fire.

Me'eliya (located in the upper Galilee)- Police arrived at the scene as demonstrators blocked the main road for more than an hour. Police forces kept their distance and didn't attack the demonstrators leaving the demonstration to disperse peacefully.

Kfr Kana- A mass demonstration/clash with the police took place for many hours. Arab leaders asked the police to keep some distance while they peacefully handled the situation with demonstrators. The police forces didn't agree and brutally attacked the Arab leaders, which caused an increase in the violent clashes with the demonstrators.

Taibeh & Tirrah (in the Center)- Clashes with the police resulted in two injuries and many arrests.

Yaffa-Tel Aviv- Clashes erupted as the police tried to prevent demonstrations from occurring. As a result, thirteen people were detained and more than sixteen demonstrators were injured from tear gas & rubber bullets that were used.

Laqiyah (in the Negev)- Huge demonstrations turned into clashes with police forces.

Rahat (in the Negev) A mass demonstration turned into clashes with the police forces. Due to the high level of outrage, a large mass of demonstrators blocked the entrances of the town by barricades & burning tires. The police responded by the use of tear-gas, thrown from HELICOPTERS, to silence the demonstrators.

Tamrah- A mass demonstration reached the entrance of the city. The police attacked Arab citizens by the use of tear-gas, rubber bullets & live ammunition. More than 20 demonstrators were injured.

Shefa'amer- A mass demonstration was held at the main road between Shefa'amer and Nazareth. The police didn't arrive at the demonstration, which allowed demonstrators to express themselves and depart quietly.

Haifa- A mass demonstration was organized in the city of Haifa, in the Arab neighborhood of Wadi Nisnas. More than 500 people participated in the demonstration allowing one of the main roads to jam, which caused pressure and tension. The police intervened causing a tremendous clash with the Arab citizens that lasted for hours; 5 were arrested and 6 injured. The mayor of Haifa, Amram Mitsnah, negotiated with his citizens in or to calm matters down. In his efforts, he managed to release all that were arrested at that time.

Jadyadee- Arab citizens demonstrated by chanting slogans against northern police district commander, Alic Ron. Demonstrations turned into wild clashes with police that lasted late in the evening. Village elders arrived at the sight and ordered the young demonstrators to return home. After the demonstration cleared, eyewitnesses reported that they saw 50 police officers, including Special Forces and border police, enter the village from the southeast corner. The police walked toward the center of the village, through residential areas, and shot randomly at cars and homes with live ammunition and rubber bullets. They also used the back end of their guns to break the windows to cars, parked on the main road. In one notable incident, seven police officers, entered a home, pointed a gun at the homeowner, poured coffee on his wife, and kicked one of the guests. Residents called the local police station for assistance and to report property damages, but the police refused to help or end the rampage.

The demonstrations set forth by all the towns, cities, and villages signifies the need of the Arab youth to express their anger and rage toward the unjustified treatment by the Israeli government.

October 7th 2000

Taibiria- The ancient mosque in Tiberias, a well-known historical site, was attacked and burned by a large group of Jewish citizens. Ben Qariati, mayor of Tiberias, incited the attack on the mosque when he stated that he "Empathized with the anger of the Jewish youth." (Translated from the Hebrew Media). This mosque was a target of attack in the past and was rebuilt, one month ago, by Arab citizens.

Also, in Tiberias, several Arabs were severely beaten by groups of Jewish citizens, while police stood by and refused to render aid.

As the violence mounted, Arabs citizens rendered assistance to Jewish citizens who were injured in the clashes, but NOT ONE Jewish citizen offered help or aid to the Arabs who were beaten or otherwise injured.

Tel Aviv- Jaffa- Hasan Beiq, the main mosque in Tel Aviv-Jaffa, was attacked by Jewish citizens by the use of molotov cocktails. A violent clash erupted between police forces and the Arab citizens that came to protect the mosque.

Hillel Iafeh hospital- The Jewish-run Hillel Iafeh Hospital refused to treat seven injured Arab citizens of the village of Kfar Kare. Administrators denied treatment on the basis that their national health insurance would not cover injuries caused by 'civil unrest.'

Hadera - The mosque in Hadera was set ablaze and completely destroyed along with Arab-owned businesses throughout the city by Jewish rioters while the police stood by and watched without rendering aid or attempting to put an end to the rampage.

Or Akive: An Arab-run clinic in Or Akiva, a Jewish city, was also burned to the ground as a result of continuous Jewish acts of violence toward Arabs.

Migdal Ha'aimech: Five Jewish Israelis pamphleteers passed out pamphlets in the city of Migdal Ha'aimech, near Nazareth, with the headline, "Coexistence is Dangerous!" The pamphleteers asked merchants to boycott Arab cities such as Nazareth, Jaffa, Kana, and etc. in efforts to end business relations with Arab establishments. The Jewish citizens also published phone numbers for an existing hotline, which offers advice for cutting relations with Arab businesses. The last lines of the pamphlets included greetings for a Happy Yom Kippur.

Arab Municipal governments sent security forces to protect synagogues in the Arab villages of Shefa'amer, Kfar Yasif, and Beka'en, even though the synagogues had not become a target of violence.

Silence

Mothers, fathers, and relatives wept as the world watched and mourned the tragic murders of unarm civilians by Israeli forces. All was quiet, calm, and dark as funerals for the murdered took place in various Arab villages until

October 8th 2000 KIPPUR

Kippur is a holy Jewish holiday that is spent in silence. On this particular holiday, transportation, communication, and shops are completely shut down while Jewish citizens spend the entire day in synagogues asking for forgiveness.

On the morning of October 8th at 2am, some 300 Jewish rioters surrounded the home of parliament member, Azmi Bishara, in Nazareth Elite (a predominantly Jewish settlement built on the confiscated lands of Arab residents in Nazareth).

The rioters, who stoned the home, were equipped with torches and declared their intent to burn the home; in addition, they were shouting "death to Arabs" and "we will kill all the Arabs". Due to repeated threats in the past, Mr. Bishara and his family were not home at the time of the attack. This attack was part of a wave of riots, which spread across the country. In addition, many Arab citizens, most of them laborers at their place of work, have been brutally attacked with knives; dozens of injuries, some critically, have arrived at hospitals throughout the country; and Arab-owned businesses have been burned to the ground. Jewish rioters, in their violent attacks, have blocked roads, junctions, burned tires, and stoned police.

On October 8th, 2000, the evening of Kippur, two Arab citizens of Nazareth were murdered and many others injured by police forces when a mob of Jewish residents from Nazareth Elite began attacks on the eastern neighborhood of Nazareth. Live ammunition was one of the methods used by the Jewish residents to attack eastern Nazareth.

The victims of the brutal attacks were as follows:

1. Mohammad Omar Akkawi, 42 years old

2. Wisam Yazbak, 25 years old

The Jewish attackers' intent was to intimidate Arab residents and scare them out of their homes in Nazareth. Nazareth is known as the largest Palestinian town in the state of Israel.

In addition to the use of live ammunition, the angry mobsters reportedly hurled stones at Arab homes, fired rubber-coated bullets and tear gas canisters at Palestinian citizens. Due to these violent attacks, twenty-five Palestinians were reported injured. Three of the injured were placed in critical condition at Rumbum Hospital.

The Jewish attackers were reportedly shouted intimidating sayings such as, "death to the Arabs" and "Get out of here." They also uttered blasphemous slurries against Islam, the Qura'an and the Prophet Mohammed.

Police forces quickly arrived at the scene. Instead of helping calm the current situation, the police aimed at the Arab residents that were under attack, which escalated matters for the worse. The Palestinians eventually succeeded in repulsing the large Jewish mob, despite police intervention on the opposing side. The police forces DID NOT use live ammunition, rubber bullets, or tear gas against the Jewish rioters.

Israeli's claim that a bullet found in the head of an Arab that was murdered was a "special bullet", and that this type of bullet is not used by their forces. They took the bullet to be investigated by professionals.

October 9th 15th 2000

Haifa:

*The Mc David, in the center of the Carmel, was targeted and attacked by a 19 year old Jewish solider by the name of David Athar.

*A demonstration was held in Wadi Nisnas. During the demonstration, five young right wing activists attacked Arab demonstrators in Wadi Nisnas. To calm matters, police intervened and arrested them.

*In the center of Carmel, during a left wing demonstration, nearby civilians were shouting slang's such as "Death to Arabs"!

*An Arab owned a travel agency and two restaurants located downtown were attacked and severely damaged.

*As a result to the riots, ten Arabs and five Jews were brought to court. The judge's verdict was to release the Jews and imprison the Arabs for 5 days despite the request of the arresting officers, which was to imprison all the suspects.

*Activists from the Likoud Party published bumper stickers that stated, "A Jewish women who marries an Arab is a whore"

*During the graduation of the police academy, family members of the graduates were shouting and yelling against the Arabs.

*During a municipality council meeting, the mayor, Amram Mitsnah, prevented A'men Ode, an Arab council member, from speaking in Arabic. In that same meeting, Likoud council members asked the Arab citizens, living in Israel, to apologize for their peoples acts in recent days.

Jaffa Street in Haifa:

*On October 13th, two Israeli soldiers (new immigrants) shot at Arab owned restaurants. One Arab, Fouad Asleh, was severely injured from a bullet to the head. He was placed in critical condition at Rumbum Hospital. Two Jewish citizens were slightly injured. The two soldiers were arrested when they returned to their army base in Haifa.

Haifa Checkpost:

* Six Arab workers were brutally beaten by Jewish Rioters.

*An Arab owned corner-stand was severely damaged by a Jewish rioter from Nesher.

Nesher:

*Jewish rioters burned an Arab restaurant. The incident blocked the road to Yagur.

*Adnan Munsour, a retired Druzean military policeman who now works as a tax driver, stopped to help two Jewish youths in distress. They mercilessly beat him as he pleaded for them to stop. He reported the incident to the police but was ignored.

*Jewish rioters destroyed a banquet hall owned by an Arab from Ibellin.

*Jewish rioters destroyed, mobbed, and set ablaze a restaurant owned by Sami Mesareb from Besmet Tivon, who serves in the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces). Sami is a relative to one of the kidnapped soldiers in Lebanon by Hisballah.

*Ez El Dean Elkasam Tomb was violated by the breaking of marble, and a minor fire was set.

Kirayot:

*At the Kiryat Ata junction, 200 Jewish rioters attacked the "Shawarma Khazen" own by Alfred Khoury, an Arab entrepreneur. The restaurant's clients are mainly Jews. The rioters used police batons, knives, and threw stones. The damages to the restaurant and its property were tremendous.

*The committee for Jewish defense, a right wing organization, campaigned to force all Arab businessmen to hang a Israeli flag over their businesses, if not, they will be boycotted.

Ramle:

*Jewish rioters attempted to set ablaze the Zayttuna mosque in the city.

Tamra:

*Due to the riots, three minors were arrested. The defense motioned for their release on the basis of their age and preparation for their begrot exams; the court denied the motion.

Hadera:

*Jewish demonstrators broke and demolished Arab owned commercial centers driving schools, dental clinic and restaurants.

Nazareth:

*Three brothers were arrested while delivering their sister's engagement invitations. They were forced to admit that they were throwing stones at police officers by the placing a police dog in their cell. The brothers were minors.

*Two Arab bank tellers, employed at Nazareth Elite bank, were relocated to the main branch in Nazareth because they were speaking in Arabic.

*A 38-year-old man was arrested on the charge of hiding demonstrators in his home. The man was charged based on Article #429 that was omitted from the law in the state of Israel. An Arabic Judge due to the fact the law is NOT exercised in the state of Israel anymore released him.

El Akbat Neighborhood in Nazareth:

*Mr. Francis Abu Khaloosh, an ambulance driver, was driving to pick up an injured victim who has been shot by rubber-coated steel bullets. Mr. Khaloosh was stopped by police and forbidden to enter the neighborhood to transport the victim.

Arabeh:

*The electricity and water was shut down; Communication services were also shut including fire, medical, and police.

Emergency Medical Service to Palestinians

Police prevented the national ambulance service Magen David Adom from entering Palestinian villages in Israel during the clashes. Local village ambulances were delayed, re-routed, and even attacked by Israeli police preventing the transport of injured individuals to hospitals and endangering the lives of medical personnel.

Many Palestinian villages in Israel are not equipped with an ambulance, the ones that do, are only equipped with just one. With the exception of Nazareth, the Palestinian villages do not have a hospital. Thus, the villages rely on the national ambulance service, Magen David Adom, in medical emergencies. However, during the clashes, MDA ambulance service did not respond to many calls from Palestinian villages. When private clinics in Arab villages requested ambulance services, they were denied, on the fact that, the Israeli forces would not allow entrance of the vehicles.

The private clinics in Arab villages were forced to use private cars to transport its most seriously injured to hospitals outside the towns. Due to the prevention of ambulance vehicles, private clinics were forced to treat many individuals who were seriously injured without adequate medical supplies and equipment.

Private Clinics and Ambulances volunteered their medical assistance in the following cities:

*Um El -Fahem

*Nazareth

*Arabeh

*Sakhnin

*Tamra

*Shefa'amer

*Jadyadee - Meker

Legal Proceedings:

More than 400 Arabs were arrested.

The imprisoned include:

?1 16 minors,

?2 100% handicap,

?3 A single female mother

?4 An ill child'

Court Summery:

*A minor from Um El-Fahem, 15 years old, was arrested and charged with destroying a car window during demonstrations. The minor was told during his interrogation that a confession would not harm him because of his age. Judge Hashen ruled that that the minor will remain imprisoned at Telmond prison until the legal proceedings are complete. The health of the minor is weak. He is suffering from Mediterranean fever and needs daily medication.

*Three minors, one from Nazareth and two from Excal, were arrested and placed in Telmond Prison until the end of proceedings. According to Hasan Abu Ahmed, their lawyer, the three brothers were arrested while delivering their sister's engagement invitations. While in custody, Police Special Forces repeatedly beat them. It was stated that a confession was forced out of them by placing a police dog in the detention room. From fear, they confessed that they were among the demonstrators throwing stones at police forces. One of the brothers is suppose to begin his medical studies at the Hebrew University this fall.

*Mofeed Mahagney, a 32-year-old man from Yafeah, was arrested without cause. According to his lawyer he was driving and was unknowingly shot at by police forces to stop. Through the window of his car, the police assaulted him using the back end of their guns. During his assault, his ear was struck, causing cartilage from the upper half of his ear to be removed. His lawyer requested an examination from the defense doctor. His request was rejected; instead the police doctor ordered that there was no need for treatment.

*Wisam Abu Azal, 22 year-old man from Yafeah, was arrested until the end of legal proceedings. While in custody, he was severely beaten causing a broken nose and an injured skull. He was brought in front of the court drenched in blood without treatment. The same violent acts were exercised on Sayed Mitwelly from Nazareth.

*Three minors from Tamra put a partial house arrest.

*In Akko, the court decided to prolong the arrest of four citizens:

1. Eihab Halowany, 24 years old, was arrested on October 15th 2000. He is 100% handicapped. He was imprisoned until the end of the legal proceedings.

2. Wisam Abas, 22 year old, was arrested on October 15th 2000. He is imprisoned until the end of his legal proceedings.

3. Nada Abu Jelyat, a 26-year-old single mother of three was arrested. She was sustained for 48 hours.

4. Falestin Khatib was shot by a rubber bullet in her leg and then arrested. She was held for 24 hours and then released on two conditions; 10,000-shekel bail was set in which she paid herself and one-month house arrest.

*On Oct 15th 2000, two citizens from Kfar Beanney were arrested at their place of employment in Nesher:

1. Mr. Daood Zaeyd

2. Mr. Hasany

As the men arrived at their jobs, they were surrounded by a large Jewish mob that verbally assaulted and attacked them. The two asked a police car that was patrolling the area, for assistance. The Jews claimed that the Arab men were throwing stones. At the end, the police arrested the Arabs. Judge Averam, from the District Court of Haifa, issued the two men a two-week work suspension. Following the decision, the two employees were fired them from their jobs.

*Charges were brought against more than 10 Arab demonstrators, including three minors. In the District Court of Nazareth, their pre-trial turned into a mass demonstration and rioting. Judge Toren Azulie, from Nazareth, decided to release them all and place them on house arrest. The prosecution motioned for a delay in order to present a stronger case, the motion was granted. All the charged were placed in prison until final legal proceedings.

*On October 15th 2000, five from Kfar Shab (located in the Upper Galilee) citizens were arrested:

1. Wehal Kadura, 19 years old

2. Mohammed Meare, 23 years old

3. Nore Abu Diauf, 28 years old

4. Salim Hebe, 20years old

5. Musen Shadey, 26 years old

The police requested that they be held in custody until trial.

*The prosecutor issued arrest warrants for 37 Nazareth citizens; Jewish rioters were not warranted.

*'The State of Israel vs Usruf Oda' was one of the most outrageous cases brought before the District Court of Nazareth.

Usruf Oda, 22 years old, was alleged to have participated in an illegal gathering. He was said to have encouraged his friends to continue demonstrating. He also was accused of preventing the police from doing their job by spraying water on the demonstrators to minimize the effect of the tear gas.

Comparison:

On October 11th 2000, three Jewish citizens from Afula were brought before the court. They were accused of disturbance and property damages. The judge's decision was to have them released and put on house arrest. The prosecution motioned for a delay in the proceedings in order to collect more evidence but their motion was denied. They were released the same day.

Names of Murdered

The Arab names listed below, are thirteen brave individuals that were brutally murdered by Israeli forces.

At this time, no one has been charged for their murders.

Many families of the deceased agreed on an Autopsy to reveal the actual cause of death.

1. Hatem Gara, 21 years old, from Jatt Al Mouthalath.

2. Iyad Saleh Lwabani, 25 years old, from Nazareth.

3. Ahmad Ibrahim Siam, 19 years old, from Mouawia.

4. Emad faraj Ganaiem, 25 years old, from Sakhnin.

5. Walid Abdil-Mone'm Abu Saleh, 21 years old, from Sakhnin.

6. Alaa Khaled Nasser, 22 years old, from Arabeh.

7. Mohammed Jabarin, 24 yeas old, from Um El-Fahem.

8. Asil Hasan Asleh, 18 years old, from Arabeh.

9. Mosleh Abu Jrad, 20 years old, from Dir Elbalah

10. Ramez Abbas Boushanq, from Kfar Manda

11. Wisam Yazbak, 25 years old, from Nazareth

12. Mohammed Khamayseh, 20 years old, from Kfar Kana

13.Mohammed Omar Akawi, 42 years old, from Nazareth

*In the beginning of these events, the names and pictures of the murdered were not broadcasted in the Israeli media. They mentioned only the number of Arabs that were killed during demonstrations.

Names of Injured

In all, three hundred and thirty Arab citizens were injured. The majority of the injured were treated at private clinics without adequate medical supplies and equipment due to the fact that the ambulance services would not respond to help. Some were treated at hospitals.

Israel at War with its Arabs'

Charges Community Leader

By Joseph Algazy

Dr. Hanna Sweid, a member of the Monitoring Committee on the Arab Population in Israel and Chair of Elbon local council, yesterday accused the Israeli government of declaring war on its Arab citizens.

Sweid told Ha'aretz that "the bloodshed which resulted from the mass operations of the security forces and the firing of rubber bullets and live ammunition at the demonstrators, citizens of the state, prove that the government no longer differentiates between the two sides of the Green Line." Sweid's words were spoken as violence intensified in Nazareth, Akko, Um El-Fahm, Fureidis, Shefa'amer and Sakhnin. As demonstrators heard about the increasing death rate in Palestine and the death of the injured during Sunday's clashes, they expressed their outrage in the streets of Arab towns in Israel.

The death tolls among Arabs living in Israel are rapidly increasing. Among the victims were 24 year old, Mohammed Ahmed Jabarin who was shot in Um El-Fahem on Sunday; and Rami Hatem Gara, 21 years old, from Jatt. Ahmed Ibrahim Siam, 19 years old, from Mouawia and Mosleh Hussein Abu Jarad, 20 years old, from the Gaza Strip, both died of wounds sustained on Sunday during clashes in Wadi Ara. Iyad Saleh Lwabanie, 25 years old was shot to death in Nazareth; Imad Faraj Ganaien, 25 years old, and Walid Abdil Mone'm Abu-Salah, 21 years old, from Sakhnin. Alaa Khaled Nassar, 22 years old, and Asil Hassan Asleh, 18 years old, from Arabeh were both shot to death after captured by the Israeli forces in cold blood.

Sweid told Ha'aretz that the nationwide strike called by the Arabs and the mourning processions that occurred on Sunday "were the natural reaction of the Arab population in Israel, which wished to show its national identity as an indivisible part of the Arab/Palestinian people. We cannot remain indifferent to the many killings and injuries our brothers are suffering in the territories and the damage to the holy Islamic places in ancient Jerusalem".

Also stating; "[The Arabs of Israel] also wished to fully place the public and political weight on the Israeli government to make peace with the Palestinian people and to respect its rights over the holy Muslim and Christian places in Jerusalem."

He continued to explain that "the strike and the mass demonstrations also expressed the frustration the Arab citizens feel toward Barak's government. Recently, on the initiative of right-wing parties and without any objection by Barak's government, there has been a campaign to de-legitimize the rights of the Arab citizens to express their opinions on public matters and to participate in decisions over the fate of the State of Israel."

The Monitoring Committee postponed a meeting with Ministers Yossi Beilin, Shlomo Ben-Ami and Binyamin Ben-Eliezer and attended funerals in Um El-Fahem and Jatt. MKs Mohammad Barakeh, Ahmen Tibi, and Talab A Sana met with Ben- Ami to protest the heavy-handed tactic exercised by the police.

Beilin told Ha'aretz, that "many demons have been set loose during these terrible days. The violent events over the last few days in the Arab towns in Israel are the most serious events ever in the history of relations between Jews and Arabs since the establishment of the state. It apparently doesn't take much to ignite a fire, but it is not too late to put the demons back in their bottles. In spite of the seriousness of the situation, we, together with the leaders of the Arab community in Israel, must find the way and the means to deal with problems which are painful to both Arabs and Jews".

Mossawa

In 1997, The Advocacy Center for Arab/Palestinian citizens in Israel (MOSSAWA) was established.

Mossawa aims to promote rights for the Arab/Palestinian population in Israel by means of political struggle and legal change. The center work compliments legal and public means to promote equal rights undertaken by other organizations and political partners.

Mossawa center enhances the activities of different organizations and activities to declare social and political change in the parliament and government.

CONTACTS

The information printed in this text was supplied by MOSSAWA, I'LAM, and ADALAH.

Any questions or concerns can be directed to:

MOSSAWA CENTER

The Advocacy Center for Arab Palestinian citizens of Israel

E-mail: mosawa@rannet.com

Tel: 972-4-852-8063