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Israeli leaders condemn arson at Jewish-Arab school in Jerusalem
Israeli leaders from across the political spectrum sharply condemned an arson attack on Saturday night at Israel’s largest Jewish-Arab educational institution, the Max Rayne Hand in Hand School in Jerusalem.
Nobody was hurt in the attack, but a fire was started on the school premises and racist graffiti was sprayed on the building, including slogans such as “death to Arabs” and “you can’t co-exist with a cancer.” It is thought that Jewish Israeli extremists were responsible for the attack, which comes after several months of tension between Jewish and Arab communities in Jerusalem.
The school itself was founded in 1998 by the Hand in Hand Foundation, which operates four other similar schools throughout Israel. The 600-strong student body is divided equally between Jewish and Arab pupils and there are joint-head teachers, one Jewish and one Arab. Students learn both Hebrew and Arabic, celebrate Jewish, Christian and Muslim holidays and learn dual historical narratives.
In the immediate aftermath of the attack, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat pledged, “We will not allow pyromaniacs and criminals who take the law into their own hands to disrupt our daily lives … We will continue to denounce the extremists and do whatever it takes to restore the quiet to Jerusalem.”
Meanwhile, at yesterday’s cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also condemned the arson and said “We are making great efforts to restore peace and quiet to Jerusalem.” Justice Minister and Hatnuah head Tzipi Livni visited the school and commented, “We will not let extremists set fire to the coexistence that still exists.” Meanwhile, centrist party Yesh Atid’s Education Minister Shai Piron also expressed his outrage, calling the attack a “violent and despicable incident, which could undermine the foundations of Israeli democracy.” Housing Minister Uri Ariel, who represents the right-wing Jewish Home party also commented, saying “This crime must be condemned in every way and requires immediate and harsh reaction by police and law enforcement forces.”