Arab Students: We were forced to stand during the siren

The students in the Western Galilee College contend that benches were wet so as to force them to stand during the siren. In protest they sat on the ground. The Dean affirmed that the benches were wet prior to the ceremony, and that this will also happen next year. By Yafa Barnas | May 4th, 2012 http://www.mynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4223999,00.html Arab students at the Western Galilee College contend that the college management attempted to prevent them from sitting during the siren and memorial day ceremony on campus. They wet the benches in the college garden so we wouldnt sit on them during the siren, and in parallel locked the cafeteria, the classrooms and the campus gates, said one of the students. The Western Galilee College, in which some 4,500 students study of whom 1,100 are students from the Arab sector, confirmed that the benches in the area of the ceremony were washed just a few minutes prior to beginning of the ceremony. The reason, as noted, was to prevent people from sitting on them during the ceremony or the siren, so as not to harm the feelings of bereaved families. Now we fear retaliation because we are bringing this out, said a student. Our feelings must also be considered. It was obvious that we wouldnt identify with this or stand silently. Perhaps they feared you would do provocations on such a sensitive day? We didnt have any such intention. We sat on the benches quietly and waited for the ceremony to conclude, until they arrived and forced us to stand up. One who didnt wish to stand during the ceremony was asked to go inside, but there was nowhere to go as everything was locked. This caused several of us to sit on the ground in protest, or on the wet benches. Arab student: On the same day a class was supposed to be conducted, but it was cancelled and we had a free hour. A group of 12-13 students, including me, sat on the benches outside, when on the other side the ceremony was supposed to start. We didnt bother anyone. Suddenly the cleaner arrived and asked that we stand up as she wants to clean the benches. We attempted to explain to her that we werent bothering and were sitting quietly, but she insisted that we stand up. An usher then arrived and asked that we stand, or go inside. I explained to him that I dont have to stand and he responded yes, you must, and if you dont want to stand, you must go inside. I went to the building but the doors were locked, so I went back and sat with my friends on the ground. Another student: Why are we forced to stand? We thought to sit quietly. There was no intention on our part to make a provocation, but the feeling of being forced hurt me very much. In protest, some of my friends continued to sit on the wet benches, and others sat on the ground on the other side. One of the guards, who attempted to speak with my friend who refused to get up from the bench, requested that a hose be brought to him, and that he himself with throw water on her. Imagine that in Germany they decide to stand for one minute for the soldiers who fought in the wars. Would there be a Jew who would stand in solidarity with the soldiers,at least some of whom took part in

the Holocaust?, said an Arab student who was there. Representative of the Arabs in the student union, Jan Farhat: I am aware of what happened and sorry for it.

Chairperson of the Student Union, Lir Elharar: No one came to me with a complaint. I personally participated in the ceremony. I saw several representatives of the (Arab) sector who stood and honoured the ceremony. The Student Union will be happy to assist with any topic or problem. The college administration: Attending the aforementioned ceremony was voluntary for students and guests. During the ceremony the college gates were not locked, nor were the classrooms or buildings. Freedom of movement of the participants was not limited, no complaints were registered and no confrontations occurred. However, this response does not fit with that of the Dean of Students at the college, Dr. Yehuda Ben Simon, who confirms the version of the Arabs: From past experience we decided that the entire ceremony area and that around it will be a sterile area, so that there would be no gatherings and that no one would walk around the area during the ceremony. Therefore, we also ordered that the campus gates be closed. We wet the benches so that people would not sit on them. Those benches not embedded in the ground were turned over. All of this, for only twenty minutes, during the time in which the ceremony was held. 40% of the students at the college are Arabs. It is sufficient that three or four will try to arouse provocations. In order to prevent this, we decided on a sterile area. It is true that we wet the benches, and we will do this in the coming years. To my sorrow, there are those who attempt to be wise guys to sit close by, talk on the telephone, to smoke during the ceremony. We attempted to prevent this. One who did not wish to be present had the opportunity to leave prior to the ceremony, and I mean all the students.

The following poll appeared at the end of the article: The administration sprayed water on the benches during the siren, what do you think? 1. Well done. It's the administration's right to thwart provocation attempts by Arabs during the memorial ceremony. (77.48 %) 2. Shameful. In a free country it is everyone's right to act acoording to his will. Also in such an event. (22.52 %)