‘Palestinian Only’ Buses in Israel: The Big Lies are Back
print
tell a friend
Afikim bus in Israel
Photo Credit: Yori Yanover
OFFICIAL STATEMENTS
“The ministry has not issued any instruction or prohibition that prevents Palestinian workers from traveling on public transport in Israel nor in Judea and Samaria,” said Avner Ovadia, spokesman for the Israeli Transport Ministry. She also said, mostly to deaf ears, that ministry officials are “not authorized to prevent any passenger from using public transport services.”
The bus company, Afikim, issued its own statement: “This plan aims to ease travel for Palestinian passengers and offer a solution that counters pirate bus companies that charge exorbitant prices.”
But for some people, and lots of journalists, no good motives can be imputed to Israelis.
There has been pushback to the explanation that the new bus lines were instituted in order to relieve crowding and to protect Arab Palestinians from exorbitant prices. Mairav Zonszein of +972 wrote, “That may be so, but in order to solve the problem of overcrowding, why not simply add more bus lines for everyone? Why the need to specify who they are for?”
The answer is that only Arabs live in the towns where these new lines will stop. And yes, security is an issue. A legitimate issue for a legitimate government.
On the other hand, there are Arabs-only buses throughout the Middle East, where no Jews are allowed. They’re in Middle Eastern locales like Saudi Arabia and Egypt, and even in most parts of the PA-controlled territories. But that’s not a story likely to gain any traction in the media, even for those who apparently yearn to write a story of Apartheid in the Middle East.
tell a friendAbout the Author: Lori Lowenthal Marcus is the US correspondent for The Jewish Press. She is a recovered lawyer who previously practiced First Amendment law and taught in Philadelphia-area graduate and law schools.
You might also be interested in:
You must log in to post a comment.
No Responses to “‘Palestinian Only’ Buses in Israel: The Big Lies are Back”
1
Loading ...
The people complaining about the buses are the same people who complained about the Jerusalem tram and how it was bringing Arabs from East Jerusalem into the West! We can't win. As for ID, I thought they had dropped the old "pass laws" crap years ago but here it is again. In Israel EVERYONE has to carry ID all the time. And who is to blame for that? The Arabs of course, without the bus bombings it would not be necessary. They know that, of course, it is only the foreign antisemites who make political capital out of it.
Why obfuscate Jew hatred with facts. Haaretz and Yediot are going bankrupt – that's fact – and are lashing out as they seek a wider jihadi / Anti-Jew audience with age old canards.
The scourge of the self hating Jew is universal. They rear their ugly head in every country in their self loathing hatred for Israel!! Yes, the Jews control the media (in the sense that so many Jews work in the media) and then use it to attack Israel! So beyond sick!!
…not trying to extend privileges reserved for citizens,ones who present no security risk, to non-citizens.
I participated in the Civil Rights movement in the American south in the '60's where many Jewish American led the protest of the despicable treatment of blacks. If they witnessed the apartheid system in place right now in Israel, they would be on the front lines in protest. Tikkun Olam ?Where are you.?
The only aparthied in israel is from leftist Jews who would rather kiss the butt of Arabs than admit that the Jewish state is trying to tho do the best it can in a dangerous world.
I have to assume that Joseph is senile! How else could he call Israel apartheid!?
No surprise in the attacks on Jews by the ubber left kapos. Apartheid in Israel? That must explain why, when Israeli Ararbs are polled about being ruled by the PA, they vehemntly open up in opposition. A Black Jew now Miss Israel. Druze in the higher echelons of Tzahal! Arabs knowing Israel is the ONLY country with a large Muslim population where the Arabs have such extensive and guaranteed freedoms. Gays openly accepted and part of society.
Simple fact is that Joseph is naught more then yet another methodist that projects his own racism and pretends it is the Jews so he can absolve himself of the true guilt his 'church' perpetuates. Go pretend to be a Christian in a muslim state and let;'s see how long before you get stoned
Ron Kall joseph is the typical Jew hating methodist projecting his own racism
Fred Weiser joseph is NOT Jewish!
50,000 Africans now live in Tel Aviv. They came for safety and sanctuary. I find it fascinating that 50,000 Black Africans get Israeli help (Egypt had turned water hoses on them years ago) yet Israel is called "Apartheid" country. The Arabs preach, teach, hatred of Jews, perpetrate violence against Israelis (and others around the world) and they get a pass. What hateful deliberate lies from hate-filled people dominate the news. Disgusting.
The arabs made sure Israel was stuck with 50,000 Africans who are a major drain on Israel, because they know later they can find a way to accuse Israel of racism or whatever, regarding some aspect of the Africans treatment in israel. Allowing them in was and is another major mistake by Israel!!