Racist statements by some Israelis know no bounds, writes Emad Gad Even as international efforts are being made to combat racism and stand up to every racist word or deed, racist statements and discriminatory policies issue daily from Israeli officials. These statements are barely even noted, let alone used to hold those who made them to account. Clearly, racism and racial discrimination must be combated on the basis of general principles that condemn all racism against anyone, regardless of their race, language or religion. That is, these efforts must begin with human rights, international law and international human rights law. Using this approach, any racist word or deed must be immediately and sternly condemned; the objective is not to protect a particular group of humanity so much as it is to protect all of humanity in principle, regardless of race, language, or religion. It is also clear that showing concern only for racism and racial discrimination against one particular group will create problems, and may even have unintended consequences. Just as we strongly condemn any racist word or deed against Jews as a people, we must also react with the same force to any racist word or deed against other groups, regardless of race, language or religion. Anti-racism efforts and condemnations must be comprehensive and decisive. We can take as an example the repeated racist statements and discriminatory practices on the part of Israeli figures and institutions. If we strongly condemn any racist word or discriminatory practice against Jews, as well as any armed attack on civilians, at the same time we must condemn with equal force any racist statement or discriminatory practice on the part of Israel or Israelis. Two recent examples of racist statements made by prominent Israeli figures can be mentioned here. The first was made by MK Yehiel Hazan (Likud) in a Knesset session on Monday, when Hazan described Arabs as "worms". This is the same man who also once said, "killing Jews runs in the veins of the Arabs." This time Hazan said, "These worms have been harming the Jewish people for 100 years, while we in turn extend our hands in peace... If we don't realise that we are dealing with a terrorist, murderous people who do not want us here, we will never be blessed with peace and security." Hazan blamed Arab members of the Knesset, saying that instead of showing concern for Israeli Arab affairs, they focussed their attention on "Palestinian terrorists who yesterday killed Muslim soldiers like themselves." He went on to say, "The soldiers were killed yesterday by terrorists, who, like worms, burrow under the earth," adding, "the Arabs are a people of worms who burrow in the dirt, not a people looking for peace." The second incident involves an Israeli general. His statements were published in an article on www.walla.co.il on 26 November. The article reads, "as far as I'm concerned, the scum can die of thirst." "These words were spoken by a general with the IDF last night, referring to the residents of Jenin during Operation Defensive Shield, during a lecture he gave to reserve soldiers in Tzrifin. During the lecture, General (res) Ami Shohat, an administrative commander with Central Command, said that during combat, the army sent four water containers to soldiers. 'Let me tell you something,' he said. 'We confiscated a water tank from them [the Palestinians] in Jenin. As far as I'm concerned, the scum can die of thirst.' "A reserve soldier with the Central Command infirmary who attended the lecture said that Shohat's statements during the lecture were full of offensive comments about Arabs. Among the things he said, 'All Arabs are garbage' and 'scum'. As for former Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat, the officer said, 'That scum is dead, but another piece of garbage will come to take his place.' "The lecture was given to a reserve battalion and organised by the Central Command infirmary in Tzrifin. The reserve soldier says that around 40 reserve soldiers attended the lecture, among them a major. According to the soldier, all those in attendance laughed at Shohat's statements and no one objected. The soldier also said that Shohat mentioned that he is a candidate for the position of IDF reserve chief. "Yariv Oppenheimer, secretary-general for Peace Now, commented, 'Gen Shohat's statements are racist and provocative. The IDF should send Gen Shohat to an emergency workshop to learn ethics and the purity of arms. Shohat's statements regarding the confiscation of water tanks in Jenin must be thoroughly investigated.' "Commenting on Shohat's statements, MK Yossi Sarid (Yachad) said, 'Day by day we find that morals in Israeli society are deteriorating to the lowest level, while the IDF does virtually nothing, perhaps because it has given up hope and surrendered to the fact that the occupation will lead to its corruption in the end. If generals speak this way, it is absolutely clear where the fish is rotting. It has rotted from the head.' "MK Roman Bronfman (Yachad) said, 'Reserve Gen Shohat's provocative statements embody once more the moral fissures created by the occupation among IDF soldiers and officers. The series of incidents recently revealed involving the abuse of Palestinians as well as a series of serious statements indicates that the IDF needs to deal severely with this phenomenon. The occupation is corrupting soldiers and civilians and is transforming our society into a violent, disgraceful society. The occupation will never be moral, and the way to remove this stigma from our society is to end the occupation as quickly as possible. The rational majority in society should take it upon itself to realise this goal.'" Clearly the statements of both MK Hazan and Gen Shohat are racist, and the two men should be held accountable. Yet, we must also consider the Israeli responses condemning these statements; they deserve praise and show the possibility of combating such statements given the proper mechanisms of supervision and accountability. Having such mechanisms in place will serve the efforts towards a political settlement of the conflict in the Middle East and plant new seeds for co-existence in the region. They also help to combat anti-Jewish statements as well. To read more about this issue, please visit the website of Arabs Against Discrimination www.aad-online.org.
