From Communist Party of Israel

www.maki.org.il / info@maki.org.il

On Racism and Co-existence in Acre

By Reem Hazan *

The recent incidents in Acre appeared to be spontaneous acts of racism and a threat to the "co-existence" between Arabs and Jews in the city. But that is only if we take seriously the idealist notion of "co-existence" that some said prevailed in Acre. If not, we are left with a reality where two peoples live in the same jurisdiction, but where the minority, the Arabs, are discriminated against in all areas – their rights, services, education and development.

The majority Jewish population also suffers poverty and unemployment but this majority sees the conflict against the backdrop of religion and takes it anger out on the Arab community rather than the state. It does not see the problem as a matter of methodical oppression.