Ignoring Israeli-Arab Terrorism

Much of the Washington, DC, Jewish community is excited about an event this coming Sunday on Israeli-Arabs. One-fifth of Israel's population of seven million people is comprised of Arabs, who are full citizens with voting and other rights...and responsibilities.

Israeli-Arabs, however, often complain of inequality, bias, and other unfair treatment. So, some 33 organizations have come together to co-sponsor the event, Arab Citizens of Israel - Challenges and Opportunities.

Topics will include economic empowerment, alienation and integration, seeking parity in education, and the needs of the Beduin Arab community. Many speakers likely will focus on "injustices" done onto Israeli-Arabs by Israeli Jews and the State, putting much of the blame for Israeli-Arab greviances upon others, not themselves.

Judging by the pre-announced panel of speakers and topics, omitted will be any discussion of homegrown radicalism, hatred, and incitement to terrorism by Israeli-Arab leaders like Sheikh Raed Salah, who in the past has publicly called for violence to "liberate" al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

Israeli-Arabs continue to be involved in acts of terrorism against their Jewish countrymen and women, and this fact ought not be ignored and deserves discussion.

Last week, Israel announced the arrest of two Arab residents of Jerusalem who plotted to fire missiles into the city's soccer stadium, which potentially could have killed and injured hundreds. The two appear to have been aided by Palestinian employees of Britain's consulate in Jerusalem, who had conspired to sell weapons to Hamas and are now under arrest.

Israeli-Arab radicalization and incitement aren't on the agenda on Sunday probably because the organizers do not want to spoil an atmosphere of goodwill. But ignoring the problem of continued hostility toward Israel in some quarters of the Israeli-Arab community is not helpful at all at confronting a very serious, lingering problem. At the least, efforts to improve the conditions of Israeli-Arabs ought to be introduced Sunday as intended to help combat a sense of disenfranchisement among Israeli-Arabs that may aid recruitment into radical activity and terror.