A column published in the Zman Haifa newspaper addressing the recent attack in the city against IDF soldiers by Arabs reveals that the city of dual existence is not the paradise City Hall officials would like us to believe it is. Residents explain that while they once lived a life of dual existence, those days are long gone.

The newspaper reports that residents of the Bat Galim and Kiryat Eliezer neighborhoods, veteran communities of the city, explain just how they lives alongside their Arab neighbors for many years in tranquility, but something has changed.

For many years, Arab and Jewish children lives alongside one another, attending schools and cultural events, but this has all changed. Many residents explain they now feel “threatened” by new realities.

“What responsible parent would permit their child to hang around outdoors during the afternoon hours while the Arabs hurl rocks and other objects at them” resident Yenina Koklen questions. She has since moved, explaining the racial tensions compelled her to relocate after her 7-year-old son was injured in rock-throwing attacks near their home.

Residents share her feelings, admitting to the fear that prevails today, the vandalism and the violence that has become a daily reality. They report that the change involves Arabs of all ages, “from the little children to adults”.

Another resident, Rafael explains “dual existence exists in words only, not reality”. He adds he has been a resident of the area for 50 years and the days of Arabs and Jews living side-by-side in peace appear to be over. Rafael explained that “They do not miss an opportunity to strike out against us, whether throwing rocks at the Israeli flag outside my home or verbal assaults on yomim tovim”.

“Even on Yom Kippur, when we left shul, they were doing construction work in the building opposite the shul. They played the music extremely loud to spite us on the holy day. I turned to them and asked in a respectful tone to lower the volume, but they continued, refusing to comply. That was not enough. Then they jumped on me and began kicking me.

Rafael describes another incident when Arab youths knocked him to the ground, breaking his eyeglasses and beating him. A neighbor witnessed the attack and summoned police. “Unfortunately, the police who responded were also Arabs and they explained they don’t have the authority to do anything” Rafael explains.

The lengthy report continues, providing statements from victims, simply explaining the attack against the soldiers was the “tip if the iceberg” and it is clear that the city’s Arabs are no longer interested in living alongside their Jewish neighbors in peace.

Neighbors explain police do little or nothing, and in the big picture, they simply ignore the neighborhood. “They only come to give the Jews trouble” explains one resident while another explains “their hands are tied”.

Vered Chanin, who heads the Kiryat Eliezer neighborhood council agrees, explaining “I am aware of the changes. Running away is not the solution however but we must stay and fight together with City Hall and police. We can win this and change current realities”.

Haifa police officials released a benign statement that they are unaware of such realities. Police insist the two neighborhoods receive the full attention of the department rejecting the claims that police are distant and uncaring. Police add that within days of the attack of the soldiers near Rambam Medical Center, 10 suspects were in custody.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)