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Prosecutors Refuse to Open Criminal Investigation into Mayor of Nazaret Illit for his Racist Remarks against Arab Citizens

19/12/2012
Israeli state prosecutors have declined to investigate Nazaret Illit Mayor Shimon Gapso for racist remarks that he made against Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel. Mayor Gapso wrote a letter calling Nazareth, the largest Arab city, a "hostile city within Israel" following demonstrations there against the War on Gaza, “Operation Pillar of Defense”, and naming city residents "a fifth column and a real threat to the state and its residents." Public prosecutors rejected Adalah's demand for a criminal investigation, made on behalf of Nazareth Mayor Ramez Jeraisy, responding that, "Severity in applying the law on incitement [to racism] could lead to limits on freedom of expression and opinion."

 

Israeli state prosecutors have declined to investigate Nazaret Illit Mayor Shimon Gapso for racist remarks that he made against Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel.  Mayor Gapso wrote a letter calling Nazareth, the largest Arab city, a "hostile city within Israel" following demonstrations there against the War on Gaza, “Operation Pillar of Defense”, and naming city residents "a fifth column and a real threat to the state and its residents." Public prosecutors rejected Adalah's demand for a criminal investigation, made on behalf of Nazareth Mayor Ramez Jeraisy, responding that, "Severity in applying the law on incitement [to racism] could lead to limits on freedom of expression and opinion."

Mayor Gapso also stated that Nazareth "is becoming a den of terrorists in the heart of the Galilee, waiting for the right time to stab the nation in the back." The letter accused Mayor Jeraisy of Nazareth of using national tax money to organize anti-state activities. Mayor Gapso added that if the matter "were in my hands, I would send the Arab citizens to Gaza, because that is the right place for them." He described Member of Knesset Haneen Zoabi as "subversive."

Adalah Attorney Nadeem Shehadeh responded that, "Gapso's statements in the letter and in news articles constitute racial incitement against Arab citizens in general, and against citizens in Nazareth and Arab residents of Nazaret Illit especially, and against the Mayor of Nazareth personally."  Attorney Shehadeh added that, "This violent racial incitement against Arab citizens is a criminal offence according to the law. These words constitute a real threat to the Mayor of Nazareth's life and the safety of all Nazareth residents." Adalah Attorney Rima Ayoub wrote the letter demanding the investigation.

For more info, see:  Adalah Demands Criminal Investigation into Mayor of Natseret Illit for Racial Incitement against Arab Citizens of Israel, 14 June 2011

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