A missile strike in an Arab-majority town not only claims lives but also unveils stark disparities in emergency preparedness and societal support.
Anger and Grief: The Schism in Israeli Society Exposed by Missile Strike
Anger and Grief: The Schism in Israeli Society Exposed by Missile Strike
A heart-wrenching tragedy reveals the deep divides within Israeli society as a father mourns his family and calls for change.
In an emotional reflection on loss and despair, Kasem Abu al-Hija, a 67-year-old father, expressed his anger after a missile attack took the lives of four of his family members. On Saturday, an Iranian missile struck their home in Tamra, a predominantly Arab town in northern Israel, resulting in catastrophic destruction. The deceased included his daughter, Manar Khatib, her two daughters, Shada, 20, and Hala, 13, along with their aunt, Manal Khatib, 41. Eyewitnesses described the aftermath: books, toys, and body parts scattered across the street as rescuers sifted through debris in a desperate bid to recover the victim's bodies.
Just minutes after the tragedy, a disturbing video surfaced online, capturing a group of Israelis joyously chanting a derogatory refrain aimed at the village where Kasem's family met their fate. "They sang about what happened to my family,” he lamented during a vigil for his loved ones. The chant, long associated with ultranationalist sentiments, drew widespread condemnation, including denunciations from President Isaac Herzog, who deemed it "appalling and disgraceful."
Anger simmers not only due to the heart-wrenching loss but also from the awareness of systemic inequalities. Residents of Tamra are effectively deprived of adequate bomb shelters—a stark contrast to the neighboring Jewish-majority town of Karmiel, which boasts significantly more public shelters for its larger population. Reports indicate that about half of the population in Arab municipalities lacks access to emergency shelters, compared to a lesser figure in Jewish communities.
The disparities are woven deeply into Israel's social fabric, where Arab local authorities historically receive less state funding, especially in areas vital for emergency preparedness. “Many decades of discrimination and neglect have led to this tragedy,” said Lital Piller of the Israel Democracy Institute. “The gaps between the communities are staggering,” she added, stressing that many Arab homes are constructed without safe rooms, a requirement for new buildings in Jewish areas since the Gulf War of 1990-91.
As sirens blared and panic swept through Tamra following the missile attack, community members grappled with fear while seeking refuge in each other's homes—yet even sharing shelter often becomes impracticable given the urgency of the alerts. No one feels this urgency more than the residents of Israel's unrecognized Bedouin villages, where even basic infrastructure, including bomb shelters, is lacking.
Despite lofty promises of new development plans for Arab communities, funding cutbacks from the current right-wing government continue to exacerbate existing inequities. Lamenting this, Adel Khatib, a municipal official from Tamra, noted the community’s sorrow over lacking basic needs such as cultural centers.
Statistically, Arab citizens in Israel confront significant challenges, with a report revealing that over 40% live below the poverty line. The recent military actions in Gaza have led to increased scrutiny over how these dynamics unfold in times of crisis, with many Arab citizens feeling neglected within the broader context of their Jewish compatriots’ support for military endeavors. A recent survey indicated overwhelming support for the conflict against Iran among Jewish Israelis, while Arab sentiments reflect fear and despair.
“We are caught between the wheel of a government that fails us and the suffering of our brothers and sisters in Gaza,” explains expert Ilan Amit, further advocating for an end to this cycle of violence and inequality.
At a gathering, community members mourned, sharing stories and heartache—recollecting Shada's aspirations of becoming a lawyer, much like her father. “All of those dreams, just disappeared,” shared neighbor Mohamed Osman.
Kasem concluded, “The bombs do not choose between Arabs or Jews. We must end this war. We must end it now.” His call echoes the longing for peace amid devastation and a societal reckoning that needs to take place.
