President Peres: "Spraying of hate graffiti against the residents and slashing of tires -
is racist behavior which crosses a red line"
Salim Jaber:
"This act by a small group will not change the residents of Abu Ghosh -
we love the Jewish people and the State of Israel"
The President of the State of Israel, Shimon Peres, spoke this morning with the Mayor of Abu Ghosh, Salim Jaber, following the events there last night in which vehicles were vandalized and racist graffiti sprayed. President Peres condemned the incident and said, "The events last night in Abu Ghosh, spraying of hate graffiti against the residents and slashing of tires is racist behavior which crosses a red line. We utterly condemn any expression of racism and vandalism. The residents of Abu Ghosh are dear to my heart and to the State of Israel, they are symbols of coexistence. Please send them my best regards and strengthen the spirit of friendship in my name."
Salim Jaber told President Peres that the residents of Abu Ghosh woke this morning to find car tires slashed and racist anti-Arab graffiti. He asked to convey a message of friendship and forgiveness towards all sectors of the population and said, "This act by a small group will not change the residents of Abu Ghosh. We love the Jewish people and the State of Israel. We know that this is the act of a small group which seeks to destroy the good relations, but we are stronger than them."
President Peres also spoke with the Chief of Police and received an update from him on the events.
