The Mossawa Center, Haifa. Tuesday 13th of May 2014. In the past year, Palestinian citizens in Israel have witnessed over 17 incidents of terrorist attacks otherwise called "Price Tag" attacks by Jewish extremists. Attacks have taken place in Shefaamer, Acco, Jerusalem, Tuba el Zanghoreeya, Baqa el Gharbieh, Akbara, Kfar Kassem, Jaljulia, Abu Ghosh, Deer Rafeh, El Jesh, Um el Fahem, Yokenaam, Pharadis, Nesher, and Afula.  These attacks have consisted of damage to houses, mosques, churches, car burnings, and violence amongst other actions.  
 
Currently Israeli law does not classify these attacks as terror attacks therefor victims of the attacks have been denied any compensation by the ministry of finance and the police refuse to allow them to get the needed forms to ask for compensation. The Mossawa center as part of the Coalition Against Racism demands that the minister of finance change the law to categorize these attacks as terror attacks to enable the Arab victims to ask for compensation. It is unacceptable that in addition to the humiliation and the shock from these attacks people also have to pay for the damage. 

The absence of the voices of Jewish leaders and the media in Israel against these attacks in both the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Israel has led to frustration and anger amongst the public.  Attacks have included racist slogans such as, "Death to Arabs" on walls and buildings and several mosques and churches have been torched and destroyed.  These acts are conducted by Jewish extremists who call for "the final solution" for non-Jews in Israel and Palestine.  Moreover, many of these hateful perpetrators are affiliated with right wing powerful political parties such as HaBayit HaYehudi, a coalition partner in the current Israeli government and the Mossawa Center finds it difficult to believe that Israel does not have the capability to capture such criminals.  

Recently, Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal, the second most important Western Christian Authority in Israel, questioned police response to the attacks and stated, "Everyone knows the Israeli police set up special units to track attacks like these. In light of the fact that the great majority of vandalism acts do not lead to trials, we must ask if the government is willing to get down to the root of the problem?" (Haaretz)  Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch has cautioned Arab citizens to exercise restrains and refrain from "vigilante" actions to protect their property and holy sites. He has pledged that the police will find the responsible parties and bring them to justice. He has also pledged addition security for Christian holy sites due to the upcoming visit of the Pope to the region.

On Saturday the 10th of May, 400 Arabs and Jews held a demonstration across from Prime Minister Netanyahu's residence against the recent waves of attacks.  The demonstration was organized by the organization, "Tag Meir," a coalition taking part in the struggle against the racist attacks.  Nidal Othman, the director of the Coalition Against Racism spoke at the event calling on Prime Minister Netenyahu to do more the bring the perpetrators of these attacks to justice and end this wave of violence against the Arab community.

The Mossawa Center supports an increase in community action and demonstrations by both the Jewish and Arab community against the increase of racist and violent attacks towards the Arab community. Mossawa calls for an immediate halt of the attacks and immediate action by the Israeli government to prosecute the criminals and increased pressure by the International Community.