December 24, 2004

Israeli prosecutor on the "Arab mentality"

Just found this on anti-Zionist notes. Apparently a trial, at Haifa District Court, involving the "Islamic Movement" had to be adjourned when the prosecutor's anti-Arab racism became so pronounced he caused an uproar. The defendants are accused of security and financial offences.

These are selected quotes from Ha'aretz.

"The Arab mentality is made of "a sense of being a victim," "pathological anti-Semitism," and "a tendency to live in a world of illusions," said Prof. Rafi Israeli, a lecturer in Middle Eastern studies at Hebrew University [!!!], on the witness stand yesterday, adding that the Arabs neglect sanitation in their communities. "Most of the Arab villages are dirtier, physically - it's a fact," he [the professor]said."

"The defense initially requested that Israeli's testimony be rejected, claiming the professor is identified with the extreme right - but his testimony was heard."

"During cross-examination yesterday, Israeli was asked to respond to questions on a number of issues concerning his viewpoint on the Arabs in Israel, Islam in general, and the sketch he offered of the nature of "the Arab mentality.""

"The Islamic Movement and its defense team expressed shock and outrage at the choice of Israeli as a witness for the prosecution. "It's a shame and a disgrace," said attorney Feldman, noting he would be taking the matter up with the attorney general "to see if he stands behind this testimony.""

Perhaps the good (or nutty) professor was just frustrated at Israel having no partners for peace.

See jazzman's take on this. He turns the whole thing around and asks what the outcry might be if these same things were said about Jews in a trial in an Arab state.

Ha'aretz removes a lot of stuff from it's site after a time so if you can't find the article on Ha'aretz go here.

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