Israel: The ugly truth

As it slides further into open and violent racism, Israel offers the Western world a reflection of itself.

Violence towards immigrants and Palestinian citizens of Israel may seem like distinct issues, but there is evidence to suggest that moves targeting one group soon spread to another

There was that jarring week in December - a protest against Arab-Jewish couples, a south Tel Aviv march and demonstration against migrant workers and African asylum seekers, the arrest of Jewish teenagers accused of beating Palestinians and the expulsion of five Arab men from their home in south Tel Aviv. It left me with the question: What is next?

It is impossible to predict the future. But there are signs that violence, perpetrated by citizens, could be spreading.

In mid-January, dozens of young Jews attacked Muslims at a mosque in Yafo or Jaffa, the historically Arab city just south of Tel Aviv. An Israeli media outlet reports that the youth, who were armed with stones and Israeli flags, shouted "Mohammed is a pig" and "Death to Arabs" just as the Muslims were preparing to pray.

When the police arrived, they did not arrest any of the assailants.
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