Tibi holds gov't responsible for mosque arson
Arab MK visits Jerusalem mosque, prompts haredi outrage: 'Would you have acted the same had it been a synagogue that was torched?'
Knesset Member Ahmad Tibi (United Arab List-Ta'al) visited the site of the torched mosque in Jerusalem on Wednesday and called for its refurbishment. His statements were met by a harsh response by haredim who were in the area. "Where were you 50 years ago? Why didn't you do anything? Would you have acted as you did today had it been a synagogue that was torched?," they said.
Tibi pointed a finger at the Israeli government claiming that the soft hand used against Jewish terror may lead to a religious war. "This is infuriating. We are very angry and hold the government accountable for the continuation of deterioration and damage caused to the mosque."
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"If the government fails to stop this terrorist gang the fire will consume every good part and that may lead to a religious war," Tibi said. "We saw that people involved in 'price tag' were not arrested despite their records. This sends a message that racism and fascism have become mainstream in Israeli society. There is affirmation and silence in the face of crimes against Palestinians or mosque vandalism. The government woke up yesterday only because its soldiers were hurt."
MKs Tibi and Barakeh inside mosque (Photo: Hassan Shaalan)
MK Talab El-Sana also visited the site and said that the arsonists' goal was to cause a war. "Whoever did this is a godless person lacking any values and an enemy of both Islam and Judaism."
He further added, "This is criminal and must be considered as an act of terror. It is the government's responsibility to protect the holy places. Whoever tied to burn the mosque wants to create a war and the government's silence is giving them the green light. I call on the government to take a firm hand against these criminals who are dubbed 'price tag', but not just them. Regrettably, there are also rabbis who feed their ideologies to them."
MK Mohammad Barakeh told Ynet: "I blame the prime minister himself for this 'price tag' and the rampage, and this is only a week after a bill banning Muezzin calls was submitted. The government cannot wash its hands of this as it green-lights such actions."
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