NEW YORK (Press Release)– AJC decried on Sunday, May 4, the so-called “price tag” vandalism attacks that have spread to Arab communities in Israel in recent weeks, joining such other groups as the Anti-Defamation League and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations in the denunciations
Prime Minister Netanyahu has said that such attacks “contradict our character and our values,” and ordered Israeli security and law enforcement agencies to step up efforts to apprehend those responsible.
The “price tag” attacks began in the West Bank several years ago as a twisted form of protest against Israeli government moves to close illegal settlements.
In the past year, the hate crimes have spread to some Israeli Arab communities near Jerusalem and in the north of the country. The attacks have consisted mostly of property damage, including slashing car tires, arson and scrawling racist graffiti. Several mosques and churches in Israel also have been targeted.
“As Israelis and friends around the world celebrate this week Israel’s 66th birthday, we are once again reminded that Israel is a vibrant democracy that will withstand such assaults on its core values by those tragically infused with hatred of the other,” said AJC Executive Director David Harris. “We know the Israeli government will make every effort to identify and arrest the perpetrators, prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law, and take the measures necessary in an effort to prevent future such attacks.”
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Preceding provided by the American Jewish Committee (AJC)