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Chabad Hasid holding Messiah flags (file)
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| By israelinsider staff April 2, 2007 |
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The residents of Israeli-Arab village Abu Gosh, famed for its friendly relations with neighboring Jews and for its exquisite hummus, were outraged that their major, Salim Jaber, spoke at a massive rally for Chabad, an ultra-Orthodox religious sect, in Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv this past Tuesday.
According to Ynetnews, "Jaber spoke at the event, at which some 20,000 Chabad Hassidim were present, and promised to undertake the 'Seven Commandments of the Descendants of Noah' (a non-Jew who undertakes them is considered a 'Hassid of the world' and guaranteed a place in heaven),"
The Abu Gosh residents and members of the city council opposition were outraged that Jaber would appear alongside the many right-wing rabbi speakers, some of whom, like Rabbi Shalom Dov Wolpe, supported the Jewish settlers in their fight to occupy a house in West Bank Hebron.
Jaber rejected the criticism, calling it slander.
"We in Abu Gosh live amongst Jews and are a symbol for coexistence." Jaber said. "I was invited [to the rally] and came as a good neighbor and as a resident of Israel, in order to honor others."
"I didn't change my religion or nationality and didn't sign a petition to destroy Al-Aqsa mosque. I merely signed the Seven Commandments of the Descendants of Noah -- these are basic things such as not to murder and not to steal, nothing more," he continued.
Despite this, Jaber received harsh criticism from Abu Gosh residents, especially members of the regional council opposition.
According to one member, Hussam Othman, "What was said there was said in [Jaber's] name alone."
Othman told Ynetnews that "Jaber participated in the event because he likes publicity. It is unacceptable for an Arab to consort with rightists. It dirties the name of the village.
"The village is a supporter of coexistence with everyone. When an Arab says he supports a settlement, it's simply ludicrous," Othman added.
Another regional council opposition member, Yusef Ibrahim, expressed his disapproval over Jaber's actions.
"It's good for the nation to advance peace and not to pander to extremists. We're all against this. We're looking for ways towards peace and coexistence, not the opposite," said Ibrahim.
Another resident, who chose to remain nameless, "As a resident from Abu Gosh, the mayor brought shame on the village with his behavior, instead of strengthening our ties with the Arab world."
Rally participants had quite the opposite reaction, calling Jaber's speech the "highlight of the evening."
Jaber maintained that he was simply trying to wish his Jewish neighbors a Happy Passover, as had been done to him during Muslim holidays. |
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