Israeli Arabs credit fence for newfound prosperity

[drdon326]

The West Bank security fence has gained some unlikely enthusiasts: the leaders of Israel's Islamic Movement.

Since the fence's completion in their areas last August, many Arab communities – especially those bordering Palestinian villages – have enjoyed a spike in both security and economic activity, as Arabs who once hauled back millions of shekels worth of wares from Jenin now shop locally.

"God be blessed, the fence ended the parade of terrorists through this city and gave us an economic boom and increased security," says Umm el-Fahm City Manager Tawfiq Karaman.

Until the completion of the fence outside Umm el-Fahm 10 months ago, locals in this city of 42,000, northwest of Jenin, had complained that Palestinians casually filtering through from the territories had harassed schoolgirls, stolen cars, and even snatched laundry.

"They stole from us as they did from the rest of Israelis," says Karaman.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1087441302553
...............................................................

The israeli arabs appear to love the fence and despise the terrorists.

[DLC]

1. Thought it was an Apartheid wall

Looks like the Arabs don't object. So where's the racism?

[number6]

2. this article is racist shit

."complained that Palestinians casually filtering through from the territories had harassed schoolgirls, stolen cars, and even snatched laundry." and kicked puppies and they smelled bad (low life Paletinians)

[drdon326]

3. Really?

"God be blessed, the fence ended the parade of terrorists through this city and gave us an economic boom and increased security," says Umm el-Fahm City Manager Tawfiq Karaman.


"They stole from us as they did from the rest of Israelis."

take it up with Tawfiq Karaman.

[drdon326]

4. There's that word again.

From the article:


But the truth, say Karaman and leaders of the Islamic Movement, is that the security fence has significantly improved their lives.

From the dilapidated Umm el-Fahm Municipality building, wedged between the city's two main mosques, Karaman sees signs of progress. "Look," he says, "there are new stores opening up everywhere. We have security, and it is improving relations with our Jewish neighbors."

The benefits of the fence to Umm el-Fahm are already evident, says Karaman. On a drive toward the area's only country club, el-Waha, Karaman points out a new shopping center lining the city's main road. Shops there include Ra'adi Kaba'a's new "Tel Aviv-style" caf , replete with traditional Ashkenaki treats such as rogalach and cheesecake, a cellphone shop, and a spacious new restaurant.

..................................................................

[Classical_Liberal]

6. and who the hell are "the Islamic movement"

I have never heard of this group. They look like collaborationists. Sorry.

[drdon326]

13. Well.....

you're wrong but at least you didn't call them

"uncle tom's".

[Forkboy]

14. I hope you'll be just as upset when Jim uses "uncle jake" again

Thank you for your support.

[drdon326]

15. Get real.....

you want to compare "uncle tom" with all the racial
overtones implied.... with "uncle jake"??

Btw...where IS my homeboy Jim??

[Classical_Liberal]

16. They are uncle toms as well

They are sucking up at the expense of their own people. Hardly reflective of anymore then phonebooth of public opinion.

[drdon326]

17. So

anyone who doesn't suck up to arafat,hamas and terrorism
you berate and insult them as "uncle toms".

I cant stop you but I find that categorization repulsive and
has racial overtones that are striking....and I'm amazed your
repetitive use of the term is allowed to stand by the moderators.

Had you actually read the article you would have read that
Umm el-Fahm is not alone. And that the cooperation between
the 2 populations are improving substantially- to a point
where there is an industrial complex. No wonder the israeli arabs
couldn't give a rats ass about the terrorists that have delivered
nothing but murder and sadness.

But of course,its obvious you know so much better than Umm el-Fahm City Manager Tawfiq Karaman.


I mean ,wtf would he know compared to your first-hand in-depth
knowledge of the events and his people he represents.

[Classical_Liberal]

18. That is a strawman, since Arafat and Hamas aren't the only

ones that dislike the Wall being built where it is not supposed to be, and where it only acts to steal land. It was just a couple of business people who profited from the wall, so they rationalize it is good for everyone. People who pollute rivers generally don't think river polution is a health hazard. There uncle Tom's that like their personal profits more than other Palestinians. The vast majority of Palestinians and other people who believe in the real two state solution are opposed to the wall because it is land theft.

[Classical_Liberal]

5. I hardly think that a couple of Arab merchants who profit represents

"The Arabs" Again there were blacks that approved of apartied. The Zulus always shit on the ANC, and "The Nation of Islam" was originally pro-segregation.

[drdon326]

7. You can tell them that.....

if you can reach them at their OUTDOOR CAFE'S and if their

not there, try them at their COUNTRY CLUB !!

[drdon326]

8. Seriously.....

How much are the yearly dues at the COUNTRY CLUB at
Umm el-Fahm ?

[Violet_Crumble]

9. I didn't realise the Israeli-Arab population numbered one...

"The israeli arabs appear to love the fence and despise the terrorists."


And with the words of an accountant, suddenly each and every Israeli-Arab appears to love the Apartheid Wall. Can we have a rousing chorus of what a wonderful person this guy is, even though it should be clear to Blind Freddy that he's speaking out of a self-interest that ignores the harm the wall does to the Palestinian people and to those in Israel who have family in the Occupied Territories....

Anyway, according to this article I found, the israeli arabs appear to dislike the racism they have to put up with as Israeli citizens...

""Hatred towards us, the Arab minority, has always been there but since the intifada started the Jewish citizens of Israel stopped distinguishing between us and Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip," said the chief accountant at Um al-Fahm's municipality.


"We do feel for the Palestinians because we originate from the same people but we're Israeli citizens whose rights are not being respected," Tawfiq Karaman added.


While he welcomed some of the findings of an official inquiry into the killing of 13 Arabs by policemen in a series of riots in the north in October 2000, he rejected the Orr Commission's conclusion that Arab Israelis must bear their share of responsibility for engaging in "incitement" against Israel.


"Complaining about my objectively underpriviledged political and economic situation as an Arab Israeli and expressing non-violent solidarity towards my Palestinian brothers by way of demonstrating is not incitement," he said.


The accountant said Arab Israelis -- who make up almost a fifth of the total population -- had also been hard hit economically.


"We've always been allocated a smaller budget than Jewish municipalities but as our situation is much worse to start with, we're more affected than Israeli Jews by government cuts in social services to support the military," he said."

http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/palestine/?id=6910

Violet...

[Forkboy]

10. lol...and so much for that

:thumbsup:

[drdon326]

11. And still more benefit to the fence.....

"Even relations with the area's Jews are on the mend. The Menashe Regional Council and the Jewish town of Katzir Harish are planning to build a joint industrial zone with Umm el-Fahm and two nearby villages. When Industry, Trade, and Labor Minister Ehud Olmert came to Umm el-Fahm on Tuesday, it was the first time in the city's history that a deputy prime minister had paid a visit."

cafe's
Country clubs


and now cooperation on an industrial zone.

yeah, i'm sure they can't wait to be under the leadership of arafat.:eyes:

[drdon326]

12. BTW.....

Does anyone know the how long you have to wait to
get "tee-time" at the COUNTRY CLUB??

[Blayde Starrfyre]

19. Another "a few people represent the majority" assertion

Just as a few Palestinian terrorists turn an entire race of people into terrorists, ONE Israeli Arab represents all Israeli Arabs who now love the apartheid fence. Yes, I'm sure the JERUSALEM POST went way out of their way to take a comprehensive survey on this matter.

[Jim Sagle]

20. The peace fence...making the world a better place, one brick at a time.

O8) :party: :toast: :bounce: :thumbsup:

[Classical_Liberal]

21. The theft fence is fucking up the world mightily

but stealing land, and wasting Israeli money. If it were on the green line where it is supposed to be it would be different.

[drdon326]

23. Pul-eeze.....

The israeli arabs dont seem to upset about it......unless
you call waiting for "tee time" upset. I imagine the
COUNTRY CLUB members aren't crying in their soup.

Help me out, CL....What are the yearly dues to the
COUNTRY CLUB??

[Classical_Liberal]

24. You are in bizarro land

a few greedy business men collaborating on a Israeli right wing prison labor scheme, hardly represents the majority of Palestinians. The polling data says over 90% of the Palestinians oppose the wall. I care about the field hands more than the house slaves.

[drdon326]

26. Hold on...

didn't say palestinians...I said israeli arabs.

and btw...

"City officials say that this is no coincidence. The "Umm el-Fahm effect," as some here call it, is not unique to this city."


Hey, the israel arabs with their CELL PHONES and OUTDOOR CAFE'S
and COUNTRY CLUBS and MONEY seem happy....why don't you be happy for
them??....They're happy....and I am happy for them.

[Classical_Liberal]

27. and what is the likelyhood your business men who profit

from the wall represent any more than a sliver of opinion among Israeli Arabs?

[drdon326]

28. Apparently.....pretty damn good.

I dont even belong to a COUNTRY CLUB.

Why can't you just be happy for the israeli arabs who
are finally rid of the murderous terrorists and are
now prospering and are happy?

Feel free to ignore the facts but they are more happy
than before the wall.You can claim its a few businessman
but the article calls it the "Umm el-Fahm effect".

CL...please answer my previous question...How come you know so much better than Tawfiq Karaman, the Umm el-Fahm City Manager ?

[Classical_Liberal]

29. 1) Polling data shows most Israeli Arabs are not happy

with life in Israel. I posted this just a couple of days ago. 2)These men never claimed to represent all Israeli Arabs. 3)It just defies common sense. It is like all those Miami Jews that voted for Pat Buchannan. 4) I am not happy with people who are happy at the expense of others. They are definately giving the shaft to non Israeli Arabs, by advocating theft of their land. At best they look like oil men who deny global warming.

[drdon326]

30. Wow.....

are you going to call them "COUNTRY CLUB ISRAELI ARABS" next?

[Classical_Liberal]

31. Maybe I would respond to this line of reasoning if I understood it

. They benefit from the oppresion of their people. That is not good.

[Jim Sagle]

33. Me too...peace and prosperity. What's not to like?

:donut:

[Classical_Liberal]

34. I see no evidence that it brought those things to anybody but

the business men in the article. Funeral Homes traditional did well during plagues, doesn't mean plagues are good.

[Violet_Crumble]

25. Since when has one person been all Israeli-Arabs??

I must make a mental note to myself that in future when posting articles from Gideon Levy or Uri Avnery, to make a comment at the bottom saying: 'The Israeli Jews appear to hate the fence and despise war criminals like Sharon.' You won't have a problem with that, will you Don? ;)

Violet...

[Jim Sagle]

32. It's only fucking up DU's I/P folder...by quieting down the conflict.

Relax, have a beer, and enjoy the healing process. :beer:

[Classical_Liberal]

35. Stealing doesn't create healing.

It would heal on the green line. As it is, it just looks like giving Palestinians the shaft. DU was originally created because the media wouldn't cover certain stories. They don't cover this one. I won't be quiet while Palestinians are being ripped off, censored, and shot at even when the engage in peaceful protest.

[Classical_Liberal]

22. The cheap labor industrialist profiting from the fence.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=124x72420

This is going to be extremenly bad for the poor in the new Palestinian state as well as Israel. They are turning the prisoners in the Bantustan sections of the West Bank into cheap labor and taking good paying jobs away from the Israeli working class.