Protesting Against Crime: Ongoing Activities at the Protest Tent for Arab Local Authority Heads in Wadi Ara

SadaNews - The activities at the protest tent for the heads of Arab local authorities in Wadi Ara continued on Sunday for the second day, in protest against the spread of organized crime in Arab towns and the collusion of the authorities.

The activities in the tent, set up in the square of the "Mays Al-Reem" hall in the village of Arara, were organized by the Arara local council, which held evening and Tarawih prayers as a protest step at the tent, followed by various lectures on organized crime presented by Professor Mufeed Saidaou and lecturer Dr. Nihad Washahi from Arara, with interventions from residents of the town and the Wadi Ara area.

The tent was established on the initiative of the Forum of the Seven Arab Local Authorities in Wadi Ara, and will continue until next Wednesday, under the direction of the national headquarters to combat crime emanating from the national committee of the heads of Arab local authorities, which is part of the higher follow-up committee; this is in protest against the collusion and inaction of Israeli authorities in combating the rampant crime in the Arab community.

Dr. Nizar Abu Aql, the head of the Arara - Arara local council, stated that "the tent serves as a small emergency center and symbolizes our unity. Our issue, our blood, and our people are one, suffering from a common affliction, which is crime that is ravaging our community. That is why we are present in the tent, exchanging ideas in hopes of reaching solutions. It also sends a message that we want to live in safety and security in our towns."

He added that "the presence in the tent is diverse, including various segments of society such as school students, young people, seniors, politicians, and mayors. We listen to everyone and exchange discussions and ideas."

He pointed out the ongoing neglect from Israeli governments towards the Arab community, saying that "this neglect concerning the issue of crime has been ongoing for more than 20 years, through the seizure of budgets allocated for the community, alongside obstructing planning, leading young people to find themselves without frameworks; all of this is due to the Israeli neglect of the Arab community."

Educator and lecturer Dr. Nihad Washahi stated that "our message from this tent is clear, and it is the rejection of organized crime in the Arab community, which is against the criminal gangs that are wreaking havoc in society. This tent is part of the activities that began in Sakhnin against crime, and it is an extension of the struggle of the Palestinian Arab people inside Israel."

Source: Arabs 48