Opposition MKs outraged at silence following kidnapping of Arab boy

JULY 11, 2018 20:19

Updated: JULY 11, 2018 21:20

Seven-year-old Arab child kidnapped in Kalansua, July 11, 2018 (Israel Police Spokesperson)

"A seven-year-old boy was kidnapped in broad daylight in front of the camera," she said. "Had he been a Jew, maybe the country would be making more noise."

Members of Knesset from Left-wing and Arab parties expressed outrage Wednesday following 24 hours of relative silence in the country concerning the kidnapping of a seven-year-old Arab boy from the village of Kalansua on Tuesday.

Police footage shows the boy being dragged into a white vehicle by a man whose face was covered, and the vehicle then immediately driving away. The boy's cousin, who is also seen in the shot, managed to escape.

The background for the incident seems to be a financial dispute between family and the kidnappers.

Meretz Chairwoman MK Tamar Zandberg commented on the fact that the incident was fully documented: "A seven-year-old boy was kidnapped in broad daylight in front of the camera," she said. "Had he been a Jew, maybe the country would be making more noise."

Joint List Chairman MK Ayman Odeh visited the boy's family on Wednesday, and later commented on the incident:

"Just yesterday I held a special day on violence and crime in the Arab community, after which we were immediately informed about this horrible case," he said. "Organized crime in the Arab sector is making life miserable for Arab citizens."

Odeh then reiterated his desire and intent to abolish organized crime and get rid of the phenomenon of illegal weapons in the Arab community. "We demand a life of security for the Arab society," he said. "There is only one police force in the country and it cannot continue treating the Arab communities as a backyard."

MK Ayelet Nahmias Verbin (Meretz) criticized the fact that the entire country was worked up about the situation in Thailand earlier this week, while neglecting a boy who was kidnapped within Israel's borders.

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MK Issawi Frej (Joint List) gave a fiery speech in the Knesset plenum, saying "If a Jewish child were kidnapped, the whole country would stand up on its feet. [But] this doesn't interest you. Shame on you."