An Open Letter to Israeli Arab Knesset Member Ibrahim Sarsur

December 28, 2012 2:18 pm 1 comment

Ibrahim Sarsur. Photo: Knesset.gov.il

MK Sarsur,

To remind you, on March 27, 2002, 250 Israelis celebrated Passover at the Park Hotel in Netanya, Israel. None of them imagined that they would be at the center of one of the most outrageous terrorist attacks of the second intifada.

At around 7:15 pm, while everyone at the hotel was enjoying their meal, a suicide bomber stepped into the hotel and blew himself up. 160 people were injured and 30 innocent people were killed. Even world leaders woke from their apathetic slumber and called for a stop to the terrorism in Israel.

Abbas Al-Sayyid, who was one of the attack’s planners, was arrested by the Israeli army and is now serving 35 life sentences at the Hadarim Detention Center.

MK Sarsur, you also know that in Israel—a country that makes deals with terror groups for the the release of its own— we also provide good conditions to our prisoners.

Terrorists in Israeli prisons can use cell phones that connect to the Internet. They have access to Facebook, YouTube and other tools of communicating with the outside world. They enjoy benefits paid for with Israeli tax money. Some have private TVs, with cable, in their cells, which many Israelis can’t even afford. They have the option to earn an education, and their families are allowed to visit them. Not bad when we consider that some of them are  responsible for the murder of entire families.

MK Sarsur, for these types of people, the only place is in a Dungeon. It’s a simple equation: If you decide to become a terrorist, you will be punished and suffer as your victims have.

Yesterday you visited Abbas Al-Sayyid and heard from him about harsh conditions in Israeli prisons. You spoke to other terrorists and told them you will fight for them to have better conditions in jail.

MK Sarsur – shame on you. You are a disgrace and a shame to the Knesset of Israel. You are a disgrace to the past and future of the country. I despise you and what you represent. You have no place in the Israeli Knesset and certainly not in representing Israeli Arabs. You represent the dark and evil that strengthens the spirit of terrorists – a spirit which led them to such actions as those that led to the murder of my father, who was killed on May 7, 2002 in Rishon Lezion by Israeli Arabs.

A member of the U.S. Congress would, for example, never visit one of the planners of the attack on the Twin Towers. A Congress member would never fight for better conditions for them in prison. The American people would not allow it.

If you represent the State of Israel, then you should fight for a safe future for Israelis—whether they be Arab, Jewish or Christian— and for our future strength.

But MK Saskur—just remember: the government that you fight against is the same government that allows people like you to be part of its spine.

I urge you to put an end to your actions and take a step forward to strengthen Israel’s future. Not the future of terror groups.

1 Comment

  • Why isn’t this disgusting piece of trash evicted immediately? All your neighbors; Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia etc. would consider such actions treason and would decapitate you, shoot, or hang you immediately. Even Canada or the U,S. would see such blatant lies about such an important subject, ample reason to impeach and/or even sue. Surely there is more Israel can/will do about this?

Leave a Reply

Please note: comments may be published in the Algemeiner print edition.


More...

  • Arts and Culture Blogs Jonathan Ames, ‘Herring Wonder’ and HBO Series Creator, Does Israel

    Jonathan Ames, ‘Herring Wonder’ and HBO Series Creator, Does Israel

    Writer Jonathan Ames, creator of the HBO television series “Bored to Death,” is known for his fearless and exhibitionistic persona. One can find YouTube videos of him eating herring and boxing at the same time, having knives thrown at him by a person called “Throwdini,” and ranting drunkenly at an awards ceremony. And when it comes to writing, Ames’s essays tend to cover racy topics. Given these exploits, it’s a bit surprising to learn that Ames’s recent trip to Israel [...]

    Read more →
  • Arts and Culture Beliefs and concepts Jewish Presence in Contemporary Art

    Jewish Presence in Contemporary Art

    The Jewish presence and identity in the contemporary world of art is one truly worth noting. At the 3rd annual conference of “Jewish Arts & Identity in the contemporary world” in Baruch College’s Jewish Studies Center, at a panel entitled “Jewish Ways of Seeing: The Visual Arts and the Jewish Tradition”, the Jewish impact on the creative world is exemplified through the discussion of artist Audrey Flack and her various works. Flack was born in 1931 to a fairly Orthodox [...]

    Read more →
  • Blogs Features Black Jazz Musician Encounters Mixed Reactions to Subway Renditions of Hatikvah, Hava Hagila

    Black Jazz Musician Encounters Mixed Reactions to Subway Renditions of Hatikvah, Hava Hagila

    At first you may be skeptical of Isaiah Richardson Jr. He doesn’t look like somebody who would be playing Hava Nagila for passengers waiting for their train in the subway. Firstly, he seems too young,  and secondly, he’s a black kid from the Bronx, dressed sharply, derby hat and all. But when upon meeting Isaiah, the 32-year-old ticked off “Hevenu Shalom Aleichem,” “Bashana Haba’ah,” and “Zum Gali Gali” as some of his favorite songs to play passing crowds, I knew [...]

    Read more →
  • Blogs Music Mother’s Day Performer Blends Israeli Independence and the Jewish Side of Verdi

    Mother’s Day Performer Blends Israeli Independence and the Jewish Side of Verdi

    This Mother’s Day, the music of opera singer Sharon Azrieli Perez will integrate the varied threads that have made up the fabric of her life. Perez, in a Mother’s Day concert May 12 at the 92nd Street Y in New York City, will weave a musical experience that brings together intimations of Israeli independence, Giuseppe Verdi’s use of Jewish melodies, medieval Ladino music, and modern Jewish show music. These musical elements are particularly personal for Perez, whose Juilliard education has [...]

    Read more →
  • Blogs Jewish 100 Social Harvey Weinstein to Elie Wiesel: Without You There Would be no ‘Schindler’s List’ (VIDEO)

    Harvey Weinstein to Elie Wiesel: Without You There Would be no ‘Schindler’s List’ (VIDEO)

    Famed film producer Harvey Weinstein presented Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel with the Algemeiner newspaper’s ‘Warrior for Truth’ award at its recent star studded 40th anniversary ‘JEWISH 100’ Gala. “My mother, the Miriam of Miramax […] was so thrilled when she heard that I was presenting to Professor Wiesel,” Weinstein said as he called on the professor to accept the award. “I am happy to be here on the Algemeiner’s 40th anniversary and to celebrate their top 100,” Weinstein added. Commenting [...]

    Read more →
  • Israel Sports Israeli Soccer Star Victim of Anti-Semitic Abuse on Twitter

    Israeli Soccer Star Victim of Anti-Semitic Abuse on Twitter

    Israeli soccer star Yossi Benayoun, who currently plays for FC Chelsea in the English Premier League, was recently the victim of anti-Semitic abuse on Twitter. After thanking his Twitter followers for sending him birthday wishes, Benayoun, who many consider to be the greatest Israeli soccer player ever, was sent the following message: “f***in Jew a**hole.” Benayoun posted a response, saying, “Some nice people in the world.” His team has called on the police to investigate the matter, according to the Britain’s [...]

    Read more →
  • Arts and Culture Blogs Gary Baseman and The Jewish Home “The Door Is Always Open”

    Gary Baseman and The Jewish Home “The Door Is Always Open”

    This weekend, a retrospective of the works of Gary Baseman titled The Door Is Always Open, opened, at the Skirball Cultural Center. ‘Door’ recreates the artists’ childhood home filled with famous Baseman characters and Jewish subjects peppered about. Baseman has had a long and successful career with iconic characters and big clients to fill his CV, but recent works are the first time he is dealing directly with his Jewish identity and the value that it holds for him now. [...]

    Read more →
  • Blogs Jewish 100 Social Algemeiner ‘JEWISH 100′ Gala: Album 2 – Program, Speakers and Awards (PHOTOS)

    Algemeiner ‘JEWISH 100′ Gala: Album 2 – Program, Speakers and Awards (PHOTOS)

    Read more →
Sign up now to receive our regular news briefs.