BICOM

Leaders from across Israel’s political spectrum united yesterday to swiftly condemn a so-called ‘Price Tag’ attack in the village of Abu Ghosh.

‘Price Tag’ attacks, acts of vandalism against Palestinian property by those opposed to curbs on settlement building, have been largely confined to the West Bank, but the Israeli-Arab village of Abu Ghosh is not only situated west of Jerusalem but is also considered to be a symbol of Arab-Jewish coexistence. The perpetrators slashed the tyres of 28 vehicles and scrawled offensive anti-Arab graffiti on walls.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack, saying “What happened today in Abu Ghosh goes against Judaism… and against the values of our people and our state.” Meanwhile, Abu Ghosh Mayor Salim Jaber told Army Radio “There are extremists everywhere, but they don’t reflect the majority opinion,” adding “We, the residents of Abu Gosh, love the Jewish people and the state.”

Arabs and Jews took to the streets Abu Ghosh to protest against the attack. Demonstrators included Hatnuah MK Amram Mitzna and Likud MK and former-Knesset speaker Reuven Rivlin, who said “’Price tag’ is an act of terror and should be treated as such.” Shas leader Aryeh Deri later visited Abu Ghosh to add his condemnation, commenting “I’m here to denounce this. This is not Judaism, this is anti-Judaism…You need be mentally ill to write such a thing.” Jewish Home leader and Economics and Trade Minister Naftali Bennett called the attack “an immoral and un-Jewish act” and blamed “a small group of malicious people.” Labour Party head and opposition leader Shelly Yachimovich slammed the attack as “a crime of hate.”

Israel’s police chief Yohanan Danino said that he expects arrests to be made soon. On Sunday, Israel’s cabinet ruled that ‘Price Tag’ attacks will now be designated as the work of “illicit organisations” paving the way to use expanded law-enforcement tools.