No mosques, no churches allowed in Jewish Upper Nazareth

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“Upper Nazareth” Mayor Shimon GapsoUpper Nazareth, Israel — This hilltop city has placid parks, broad avenues, low crime, a fancy mall and trash collection three times a week — all very nice and neat, and by design, slightly dull.

But not these days.

Over the past few years, well-to-do Arab Israelis, both Muslim and Christian, have been driving their minivans 10 minutes up the hill from the ancient, overcrowded nearly all-Arab city of Nazareth and snapping up sweet but pricey five-bedroom, four-bath houses.

Many of the homes are worth a half-million dollars or more, and Arab citizens of Israel count for 18 percent of the 50,000 residents in “Upper Nazareth,” as it is translated in English.

They are welcome here, the mayor says, as long as they remember one very important rule.

“This is a Jewish city,” said Shimon Gafsou of his adopted home town, “now and forever.”

To be more specific: “I would rather cut off my right arm than build an Arab school,” the mayor said in an interview on his terrace at city hall.

Ditto mosques. “No, no, no. No mosques, ever,” Gafsou said. No churches. Or Ramadan lanterns or manger scenes. “And no Christmas trees,” said the mayor of a town that abuts the largest Arab city in Israel, celebrated as the childhood home of Jesus.

“Everyone can live here, that is the law, as long as they understand this is a Jewish city,” Gafsou said. “And in that way we are a microcosm of the state of Israel.”

He said that “95 percent of Jewish mayors think the same thing. They’re just afraid to say so out loud.”

The situation here in Nazareth Illit may be a bit stark, even a little cartoonish, according to some critics of the colorful mayor, who is up for reelection next month. He has been temporarily sidelined from office after being indicted Tuesday by the Israeli courts for allegedly accepting bribes, a charge he denies and says is politically motivated.

No matter, because he still appears to be the front-runner. And his town does reflect a central tension in Israeli society. In the current round of peace talks brokered by U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry, one of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s demands is that Palestinians not only accept Israel’s right to exist, but also recognize Israel as a Jewish state.

The parallel challenge is determining what Israel should do for the 21 percent of its citizens who are Arab, and what the Arab Israelis should do for Israel.

Arabs comprise large minorities in Jerusalem and in the southern Negev desert. Here in the northern district, not including the coastal metropolis of Haifa, there are more Arabs than Jews.

Israel guarantees its Arab citizens full and equal rights. But report after report documents the fact that spending for Arab citizens is lower, on average, in education, housing, business development and other areas.

Nazareth Illit is a classic Israeli “development,” or new town, built with government support starting in the 1950s as a home for Jews on expropriated lands, according to historians.

But now, as elderly Jews die and young Jews move to Tel Aviv and its environs, the annual growth of the Jewish population in northern Israel has slowed to just 3 percent, according to the government’s 2010 census reports. At the same time, the Arab Israeli population was climbing 11 percent annually in the north.

“We call a place like this an ‘invisible city,’ a kind of city within a city, here but not really seen, not recognized,” said Kamli Tayoon, a project coordinator for Shatil, a group funded by the U.S.-based New Israel Fund that promotes social justice and equality campaigns.

Tayoon said the group surveyed a sampling of the 9,000 Arab Israeli residents of Nazareth Illit and found that the focus of their desire was a government-funded Arab Israeli school. There are hundreds of such schools in Israel. They teach the Israeli curriculum, including Hebrew and Israeli history, but in the students’ mother tongue of Arabic.

“There’s an elementary school down the block, a two-minute walk, and a high school, five minutes away, but they are Jewish schools,” said Sawsan Qudsi-Hamed, a teacher and mother of three who is an Arab Israeli.

So she drives her kids to Nazareth to go to school.

There are more than a dozen schools in Nazareth Illit, but none of them are expressly for Arab Israelis — though they could enroll in the Jewish schools, as some do. The Arab kids, about 2,000 or so, generally take the bus, walk or drive with their parents down the hill to Nazareth.

Qudsi-Hamed has lived in Nazareth Illit for 20 years. She’s happy here, she says. “Maybe for Jews this neighborhood is a step down, but for Arabs, it is paradise,” she said.

Her neighbors treat her with courtesy. Life is peaceful and quiet, and property values are soaring. But there are things that bug her. The library? It has stacks of books in Hebrew, Russian and English. But not a single one, she says, in Arabic. Why not?

“I think we need to spend more time learning to get along with each other,” she said.

This is “a mixed city, meaning it is Jewish and Arab, both citizens of Israel, with all the rights. But we don’t have a school? Not one? And forget about a mosque or a church. The mayor says he will not allow it. What would you call that?” said Abd Elrazik Shtiwy, an activist and a resident here since 1954 who remembers when a Bedouin tent with camels stood across the street from where the Plaza Hotel is today.

“There is the whiff of racism,” he said. “Sorry to say.”

He said for years the Arab Israelis of Nazareth Illit have lived in their own community as if it were a hotel. “We work in Nazareth, shop in Nazareth, live our lives and culture in Nazareth, and come home and sleep in Nazareth Illit,” Shtiwy said.

Gafsou, the mayor, said some of his good friends are Arabs. He is a former Israeli paratrooper, his four sons are all in the military, he drives on the Sabbath, drinks a whiskey or two, and is a proud Zionist.

In the left-leaning Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Gafsou penned an opinion piece in August. “Over the past few days, many people have been calling me a racist. Sometimes they also call me a Nazi, a bully or even Hitler,” he wrote. “What’s my crime? What act of bullying did I commit? I made a clear and unequivocal statement that Upper Nazareth was a Jewish city.”

He then compared himself, not unfavorably, to Abraham, Moses, Theodor Herzl and David Ben-Gurion.

To keep his city’s population Jewish, Gafsou is working with the Israeli government to build a development of 3,000 units designed to attract ultra-Orthodox Jews from Jerusalem.

Gafsou showed off some architectural drawings of the planned addition. It will be located right below, and in front of, one of the up-and-coming Arab neighborhoods.

“It has the best views,” he said, spreading his arms and smiling broadly.

Washington Post

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116 responses to “No mosques, no churches allowed in Jewish Upper Nazareth”

  1. There’s nothing Jewish about Nazareth, its as Arab as its goes

    1. The real lebanese Avatar
      The real lebanese

      Have you been there before?

      1. Yes I have, the Muslims are actually outnumbering the Christians a lot there.
        But everyone in the streets speaks Arabic, like the Druze villages ive been to. I didn’t see a single Hebrew speaker.

        1. Shirdel2142 Avatar
          Shirdel2142

          Good for you,i would give my right arm to see the holy lands.

          1. 5thDrawer Avatar
            5thDrawer

            That would be foolish. It’s a pile of sand and stone. But Lebanon is more visually pleasing … and they still have all the adverts up. :-))

        2. 5thDrawer Avatar

          Get some Druze to thumb a nose at … hehehehehehehe

          1. lol!!

    2. man-o-war Avatar

      Did you read the article?
      “as Arab as it goes”, really?
      “The library? It has stacks of books in Hebrew, Russian and English. But not a single one, she says, in Arabic.” I’m not an expert in this, but if it was “as Arab as it goes” I would imagine the local library would have at least one book in Arabic. Maybe the library is a private library funded by Jews. Or maybe its a Jewish schools library. I guess if this resident wants to see a little bit more Arabic books she should support the building of an Arab school. Oh wait! The mayor was quoted saying, “I would rather cut off my right arm than build an Arab school,” .

      Israel would kick all the Arabs and every religion that is not Judaism out of the country if they could get away with it. They are the chosen people after all. FUFU (For us, F’ U)

      1. umm maybe because Hebrew is the main language of the country, and English is a compulsory subject to learn even in Arab schools. But the people in downtown Nazareth are all Arabs.

        Hey I went to an Arab Christian school in the North.. not a single Jew in sight.

        1. 5thDrawer Avatar

          Everybody sing now:
          ‘Ohhhhh … Who are the people in your neighbourhood, in your neighbourhood, in your neigh-bour-hood; oh, who are the people in your neighbourhood? They’re the people that you meet when you’re walking down the street, they’re the people that you meet each day.’

          1. williamgel Avatar

            Do you think everyone on a Lebanese media outlet is going to get the Sesame Street reference?

          2. 5thDrawer Avatar
            5thDrawer

            You did. 😉

        2. williamgel Avatar

          Hmmm, I wonder why? Could it be the inherent unwelcoming atmosphere afforded to Jews in their own State by people who are all too happy to accept benefits from the State?

      2. I miss our little chats .. lol ..

      3. Ahh hence look around the arab at the chaos and turmoil…sectarianism being bred…looking for the big war so israel can dump all the palestinians somewhere? Since 1982 they have been trying to do it.

        1. williamgel Avatar

          Boo. No proof of such except your own racist inclinations. Had Israel wanted to “dump” its Arab population, it could have many times in the past 6 decades, instead of giving them equality and State benefits.

          1982 would never have been a mark in history had Lebanon not acted as a base for PLO terrorism against the Jewish State, both legally and morally justifying Israeli intervention. Following the IDF response, the PLO – which carved its own autonomous region out of Lebanon and killed MANY Christians – was ejected to Tunis.

          You’re welcome.

    3. williamgel Avatar

      Nazareth is where Jesus is from. Are you saying Jesus was an Arab? No one else does – they claim he was Jewish. However, the mayor is talking about Nazareth Illit which is a different village, and the author mentioned that Nazareth proper is Arab Christian.

      Too bad you didn’t take the time to read the article.

  2. cook2half Avatar

    There’s nothing Jewish about Nazareth, its as Arab as its goes

    1. The real lebanese Avatar
      The real lebanese

      Have you been there before?

      1. cook2half Avatar

        Yes I have, the Muslims are actually outnumbering the Christians a lot there.
        But everyone in the streets speaks Arabic, like the Druze villages ive been to. I didn’t see a single Hebrew speaker.

        1. Shirdel2142 Avatar
          Shirdel2142

          Good for you,i would give my right arm to see the holy lands.

          1. 5thDrawer Avatar
            5thDrawer

            That would be foolish. It’s a pile of sand and stone. But Lebanon is more visually pleasing … and they still have all the adverts up. :-))

        2. 5thDrawer Avatar

          Get some Druze to thumb a nose at … hehehehehehehe

          1. cook2half Avatar

            lol!!

    2. man-o-war Avatar

      Did you read the article?
      “as Arab as it goes”, really?
      “The library? It has stacks of books in Hebrew, Russian and English. But not a single one, she says, in Arabic.” I’m not an expert in this, but if it was “as Arab as it goes” I would imagine the local library would have at least one book in Arabic. Maybe the library is a private library funded by Jews. Or maybe its a Jewish schools library. I guess if this resident wants to see a little bit more Arabic books she should support the building of an Arab school. Oh wait! The mayor was quoted saying, “I would rather cut off my right arm than build an Arab school,” .

      Israel would kick all the Arabs and every religion that is not Judaism out of the country if they could get away with it. They are the chosen people after all. FUFU (For us, F’ U)

      1. cook2half Avatar

        umm maybe because Hebrew is the main language of the country, and English is a compulsory subject to learn even in Arab schools. But the people in downtown Nazareth are all Arabs.

        Hey I went to an Arab Christian school in the North.. not a single Jew in sight.

        1. 5thDrawer Avatar

          Everybody sing now:
          ‘Ohhhhh … Who are the people in your neighbourhood, in your neighbourhood, in your neigh-bour-hood; oh, who are the people in your neighbourhood? They’re the people that you meet when you’re walking down the street, they’re the people that you meet each day.’

          1. williamgel Avatar

            Do you think everyone on a Lebanese media outlet is going to get the Sesame Street reference?

          2. 5thDrawer Avatar
            5thDrawer

            You did. 😉

        2. williamgel Avatar

          Hmmm, I wonder why? Could it be the inherent unwelcoming atmosphere afforded to Jews in their own State by people who are all too happy to accept benefits from the State?

      2. cook2half Avatar

        I miss our little chats .. lol ..

      3. Ahh hence look around the arab at the chaos and turmoil…sectarianism being bred…looking for the big war so israel can dump all the palestinians somewhere? Since 1982 they have been trying to do it.

        1. williamgel Avatar

          Boo. No proof of such except your own racist inclinations. Had Israel wanted to “dump” its Arab population, it could have many times in the past 6 decades, instead of giving them equality and State benefits.

          1982 would never have been a mark in history had Lebanon not acted as a base for PLO terrorism against the Jewish State, both legally and morally justifying Israeli intervention. Following the IDF response, the PLO – which carved its own autonomous region out of Lebanon and killed MANY Christians – was ejected to Tunis.

          You’re welcome.

    3. williamgel Avatar

      Nazareth is where Jesus is from. Are you saying Jesus was an Arab? No one else does – they claim he was Jewish. However, the mayor is talking about Nazareth Illit which is a different village, and the author mentioned that Nazareth proper is Arab Christian.

      Too bad you didn’t take the time to read the article.

  3. “No, no, no. No mosques, ever,” Gafsou said. No churches. Or Ramadan lanterns or manger scenes. “And no Christmas trees,” said the mayor of a town that abuts the largest Arab city in Israel, celebrated as the childhood home of Jesus.
    “Everyone can live here, that is the law, as long as they understand this is a Jewish city,” Gafsou said. “And in that way we are a microcosm of the state of Israel.”

    A perfect example of freedom and democracy and secularity
    You are no better than the takfiri islamists… Both fascist nazi mentality…

    1. The mayor is a demented monkey. This is not the attitude elsewhere, especially not in Haifa.

      1. 5thDrawer Avatar

        I’ll lay odds they are still selling trinkets to the tourists, though … that part of the business he can’t get around … even if he’s a bigot. ;-))

    2. williamgel Avatar

      Until Jews can live everywhere in their own State without being attacked or called “racist settlers” by foreign Leftists, there must be pockets of solitude for each group.

      Granted, the Mayor’s words come across as racist but as he pointed out no one is forbidden to live in Nazareth Illit which speaks volumes to the open democracy that Israel is. There is much sectarianism that must dealt with inside the Jewish State which also means that Israeli Arabs MUST accept their Jewish fellow citizens, end support for Israel’s enemies, and end sedition against the State.

      1. The entity Jewish state is by itself racist like Hezbollah claiming it is an ISLAMIC resistance in a country filled with Christians and atheists and what have you. I would vote for a Palestine free of religion where a Christian or a Jew or a Moslem or a Baha’i or a Buddhist or an atheist can be elected head of the state.

        1. williamgel Avatar

          You’re being dishonest, and you know it. Hizbullah was never for Lebanon, despite claiming to be. They are for Shiites, with their founders in Tehran.

          Israel may be a Jewish State but ALL citizens have equal rights and that is something not common in the region. Perhaps a bit in Lebanon but your own govt is a forced collection of sectarian groups with pre-defined percentages. In Israel, despite being a Jewish State, the non-Jewish groups fully manage their own community affairs such as marriages, deaths, schools and places of worship, however with State funds.

          In Israel, a non-Jew could be elected head of State but because its based on a parliamentary system, like the UK, the party with the most votes gets to place the head of State, by their own decision. The fact that Israel is 22% Arab but Arab political groups only see 57% of their vote is very telling. In other words, its mostly foreigners and Islamists inside Israel, or Arab MKs looking to boost their career, who claim Israeli Arabs are discriminated against. The Israeli Arabs themselves are quite happy living in the Jewish State, especially since the Arab and Islamic States next door are imploding.

          Speaking of which, if the idea of a Jewish State bothers your sensitivities, then so too must the racist States calling themselves “The Arab State of” or “The Islamic State of” while having non-Arab, non-Muslim groups as their citizens.

          1. I do not give a rat’s ass about all of the MidEast… You all drink the same shitty water that drives humans crazy and turn you all into bigots…

          2. williamgel Avatar

            Ah, so you’re a foreigner logging into a Middle East media outlet to tell everyone in the Middle East how screwed up we all are, based upon your own cultural experiences in a land far, far away.

            I can’t think of a better metaphor for why the region is as it is today. Keep your foreign-nose out of Middle Eastern affairs, and let the residents take care of their own problems – and we might just see peace in our time, though – it probably won’t be to your liking, but then again, we won’t give a crap.

          3. IraniAngel Avatar

            exactly

          4. Hmmmmm. If we keep our nose out, and our money, Israel will disappear in a jiffy… The U.S. is the lifeline of Israel… without it you are but a spit in an ocean.

          5. williamgel Avatar

            Ah, so you’re an American, with a demand that everyone adhere to your will because you pay them to. Not doing so well in other parts of the Middle East despite the collective aid to Arab countries that eclipses the military purchase credits that you give to Israel, in return for Israeli technology AND a non-compete agreement by the Israeli military industry.

            Your claim that Israel would disappear if the US ended its aid is a fallacy, and one that has anti-Israel groups salivating but the truth is, US aid is 1% of Israel GDP and is only purchase credits, not direct economic aid. US aid into the region only began around 1967 when Soviet aid to the region grew rapidly, and there was a regional war. Before that, Israel did just fine with French military products, and even produced some nice products itself. Israel has a strong sustainable economy, and produces the 2nd most startup firms on NASDAQ, behind on the US.

            As John Kerry said, US Foreign Aid is NOT a gift. It’s a strategic part of US Foreign policy, and they wouldn’t provide it if they didn’t find value from it. Same too with aid given by other nations to other nations.

        2. So its normal if a Chinese gets elected as the French president, or if a Pakistani becomes Chancellor of Germany? Why should an Arab be head of a state which is ethnically 80% Jewish?

          1. An African is a president of the U.S. AND his middle name is Hussein… Go figure!

          2. and thats a good thing? I’ll bet you anything his birth certificate is a fake lol

          3. williamgel Avatar

            And America is a multi-cultural democracy that lets in thousands of immigrants each year, and prides itself on diveristy. But ask President Obama who he identifies himself as first – he won’t say its his religion, he won’t cite his ethnicity “Black”, he’ll say “American”. And that’s the important point. Those Israeli Arabs who cite themselves as “Israeli” first, before ethnic or religious identity could very well be the next PM.

          4. williamgel Avatar

            Excellent point

          5. תודה

  4. “No, no, no. No mosques, ever,” Gafsou said. No churches. Or Ramadan lanterns or manger scenes. “And no Christmas trees,” said the mayor of a town that abuts the largest Arab city in Israel, celebrated as the childhood home of Jesus.
    “Everyone can live here, that is the law, as long as they understand this is a Jewish city,” Gafsou said. “And in that way we are a microcosm of the state of Israel.”

    A perfect example of freedom and democracy and secularity
    You are no better than the takfiri islamists… Both fascist nazi mentality…

    1. cook2half Avatar

      The mayor is a demented monkey. This is not the attitude elsewhere, especially not in Haifa.

      1. 5thDrawer Avatar

        I’ll lay odds they are still selling trinkets to the tourists, though … that part of the business he can’t get around … even if he’s a bigot. ;-))

    2. williamgel Avatar

      Until Jews can live everywhere in their own State without being attacked or called “racist settlers” by foreign Leftists, there must be pockets of solitude for each group.

      Granted, the Mayor’s words come across as racist but as he pointed out no one is forbidden to live in Nazareth Illit which speaks volumes to the open democracy that Israel is. There is much sectarianism that must dealt with inside the Jewish State which also means that Israeli Arabs MUST accept their Jewish fellow citizens, end support for Israel’s enemies, and end sedition against the State.

      1. The entity Jewish state is by itself racist like Hezbollah claiming it is an ISLAMIC resistance in a country filled with Christians and atheists and what have you. I would vote for a Palestine free of religion where a Christian or a Jew or a Moslem or a Baha’i or a Buddhist or an atheist can be elected head of the state.

        1. williamgel Avatar

          You’re being dishonest, and you know it. Hizbullah was never for Lebanon, despite claiming to be. They are for Shiites, with their founders in Tehran.

          Israel may be a Jewish State but ALL citizens have equal rights and that is something not common in the region. Perhaps a bit in Lebanon but your own govt is a forced collection of sectarian groups with pre-defined percentages. In Israel, despite being a Jewish State, the non-Jewish groups fully manage their own community affairs such as marriages, deaths, schools and places of worship, however with State funds.

          In Israel, a non-Jew could be elected head of State but because its based on a parliamentary system, like the UK, the party with the most votes gets to place the head of State, by their own decision. The fact that Israel is 22% Arab but Arab political groups only see 57% of their vote is very telling. In other words, its mostly foreigners and Islamists inside Israel, or Arab MKs looking to boost their career, who claim Israeli Arabs are discriminated against. The Israeli Arabs themselves are quite happy living in the Jewish State, especially since the Arab and Islamic States next door are imploding.

          Speaking of which, if the idea of a Jewish State bothers your sensitivities, then so too must the racist States calling themselves “The Arab State of” or “The Islamic State of” while having non-Arab, non-Muslim groups as their citizens.

          1. I do not give a rat’s ass about all of the MidEast… You all drink the same shitty water that drives humans crazy and turn you all into bigots…

          2. williamgel Avatar

            Ah, so you’re a foreigner logging into a Middle East media outlet to tell everyone in the Middle East how screwed up we all are, based upon your own cultural experiences in a land far, far away.

            I can’t think of a better metaphor for why the region is as it is today. Keep your foreign-nose out of Middle Eastern affairs, and let the residents take care of their own problems – and we might just see peace in our time, though – it probably won’t be to your liking, but then again, we won’t give a crap.

          3. IraniAngel Avatar

            exactly

          4. Hmmmmm. If we keep our nose out, and our money, Israel will disappear in a jiffy… The U.S. is the lifeline of Israel… without it you are but a spit in an ocean.

          5. williamgel Avatar

            Ah, so you’re an American, with a demand that everyone adhere to your will because you pay them to. Not doing so well in other parts of the Middle East despite the collective aid to Arab countries that eclipses the military purchase credits that you give to Israel, in return for Israeli technology AND a non-compete agreement by the Israeli military industry.

            Your claim that Israel would disappear if the US ended its aid is a fallacy, and one that has anti-Israel groups salivating but the truth is, US aid is 1% of Israel GDP and is only purchase credits, not direct economic aid. US aid into the region only began around 1967 when Soviet aid to the region grew rapidly, and there was a regional war. Before that, Israel did just fine with French military products, and even produced some nice products itself. Israel has a strong sustainable economy, and produces the 2nd most startup firms on NASDAQ, behind on the US.

            As John Kerry said, US Foreign Aid is NOT a gift. It’s a strategic part of US Foreign policy, and they wouldn’t provide it if they didn’t find value from it. Same too with aid given by other nations to other nations.

        2. cook2half Avatar

          1) Baha’is don’t get into politics

          2) So its normal if a Chinese gets elected as the French president, or if a Pakistani becomes Chancellor of Germany? Why should an Arab be head of a state which is ethnically 80% Jewish?

          1. An African is a president of the U.S. AND his middle name is Hussein… Go figure!

          2. cook2half Avatar

            and thats a good thing? I’ll bet you anything his birth certificate is a fake lol

          3. williamgel Avatar

            And America is a multi-cultural democracy that lets in thousands of immigrants each year, and prides itself on diveristy. But ask President Obama who he identifies himself as first – he won’t say its his religion, he won’t cite his ethnicity “Black”, he’ll say “American”. And that’s the important point. Those Israeli Arabs who cite themselves as “Israeli” first, before ethnic or religious identity could very well be the next PM.

          4. williamgel Avatar

            Excellent point

          5. cook2half Avatar

            תודה

  5. Leborigine Avatar

    Gafsou, your a dickhead!! You might as well cut off your right arm because there will be either a mosque or a church there!!

    1. 5thDrawer Avatar

      It’s like Quebec which also thinks it’s a different country … he wants Mafia Funding. 😉

    2. williamgel Avatar

      You’re probably right just based on shear inertia. Enough of a public need with necessitate a supportive infrastructure. However, the mayor is correct – it’s a Jewish town. It is impossible to build a synagogue in the Arab-Nazareth, and as a Jew don’t even try to live in Umm Al-Faqm or other Arab village. If the Arab residents don’t stone you to death, the Leftists will show up to launch protests and rock throwing claiming you’re a “settler”.

      Until that type of racism against Jews in their own country is negated, there is not much justification to put mosques or churches in Nazareth Illit.

      1. Hmmmmm. May be no Mosques but why no churches?

        1. williamgel Avatar

          Because its a Jewish city. And Nazareth itself is the Arab Christian city, which should have all the churches necessary.

      2. Leborigine Avatar

        I agree with all that you said above except for the jewish town bit, based on demographics

  6. Leborigine Avatar

    Gafsou, your a dickhead!! You might as well cut off your right arm because there will be either a mosque or a church there!!

    1. 5thDrawer Avatar

      It’s like Quebec which also thinks it’s a different country … he wants Mafia Funding. 😉

    2. williamgel Avatar

      You’re probably right just based on shear inertia. Enough of a public need with necessitate a supportive infrastructure. However, the mayor is correct – it’s a Jewish town. It is impossible to build a synagogue in the Arab-Nazareth, and as a Jew don’t even try to live in Umm Al-Faqm or other Arab village. If the Arab residents don’t stone you to death, the Leftists will show up to launch protests and rock throwing claiming you’re a “settler”.

      Until that type of racism against Jews in their own country is negated, there is not much justification to put mosques or churches in Nazareth Illit.

      1. Hmmmmm. May be no Mosques but why no churches?

        1. williamgel Avatar

          Because its a Jewish city. And Nazareth itself is the Arab Christian city, which should have all the churches necessary.

      2. Leborigine Avatar

        I agree with all that you said above except for the jewish town bit, based on demographics

  7. Maborlz Ez-Hari Avatar
    Maborlz Ez-Hari

    And while Arabs are so intent on knocking each other out of existance, they continue to turn a blind eye on an issue that should unite them all. Its not the jews fault if they constantly conquer and have the upper hand when dealing with Arabs. The Arab leaders are quick to unite when they are screaming for world powers to attack their own but they convieniently & cowardly shut the F@#*k up when Isreal is the aggressor.

  8. Maborlz Ez-Hari Avatar
    Maborlz Ez-Hari

    And while Arabs are so intent on knocking each other out of existance, they continue to turn a blind eye on an issue that should unite them all. Its not the jews fault if they constantly conquer and have the upper hand when dealing with Arabs. The Arab leaders are quick to unite when they are screaming for world powers to attack their own but they convieniently & cowardly shut the F@#*k up when Isreal is the aggressor.

  9. MekensehParty Avatar
    MekensehParty

    How about no church, no mosque and no Jewish/religious states.
    Put your religions in your hearts and keep it to yourselves!

    1. Matthew 10:32-33……..

      32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

      1. 5thDrawer Avatar

        Not denying, Cross, but we don’t see God down here meddling or sticking a finger on any button. Otherwise some might get straightened out on occasion.
        The assholery is all created by humans … as have been the words in the books.
        Follow the ones for humane humans.

      2. MekensehParty Avatar
        MekensehParty

        I’m shaking…

        1. 2 Peter 3:9….
          The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

          1. MekensehParty Avatar
            MekensehParty

            what’s the difference between you and an Islamist that keeps quoting the Koran on every occasion. You’re the same! your minds locked on the words of one book hundreds of which Time has erased…

          2. Koran=man made religion=false ideology=bad fruit…….
            Bible=The Word of God=Truth=Righteousness=Good fruit…

            ….Colossians 1:5-6…..

            New 5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth.

          3. Peaceforleb Avatar
            Peaceforleb

            Time for rehab Full of wind. Don’t worry, you won’t get lonely. Wargame will be there to show some support. After all you are both as crazy as one another.

          4. MekensehParty Avatar
            MekensehParty

            and you complain that Islamists call Christians kuffar?
            you’re just proving my point

          5. 5thDrawer Avatar

            flaming southern Baptist …
            maybe Republican?

    2. I do agree with you… Do not let it go to your head. I am still the hoover! 😛

  10. MekensehParty Avatar
    MekensehParty

    How about no church, no mosque and no Jewish/religious states.
    Put your religions in your hearts and keep it to yourselves!

    1. CrossWinds Avatar

      Matthew 10:32-33……..

      32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

      1. 5thDrawer Avatar

        Not denying, Cross, but we don’t see God down here meddling or sticking a finger on any button. Otherwise some might get straightened out on occasion.
        The assholery is all created by humans.

      2. MekensehParty Avatar
        MekensehParty

        I’m shaking…

        1. CrossWinds Avatar

          2 Peter 3:9….
          The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

          1. MekensehParty Avatar
            MekensehParty

            what’s the difference between you and an Islamist that keeps quoting the Koran on every occasion. You’re the same! your minds locked on the words of one book hundreds of which Time has erased…

          2. CrossWinds Avatar

            Koran=man made religion=false ideology=bad fruit…….
            Bible=The Word of God=Truth=Righteousness=Good fruit…

            ….Colossians 1:5-6…..

            New 5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth.

          3. Peaceforleb Avatar
            Peaceforleb

            Time for rehab Full of wind. Don’t worry, you won’t get lonely. Wargame will be there to show some support. After all you are both as crazy as one another.

          4. MekensehParty Avatar
            MekensehParty

            and you complain that Islamists call Christians kuffar?
            you’re just proving my point

          5. 5thDrawer Avatar

            flaming southern Baptist …
            maybe Republican?

    2. I do agree with you… Do not let it go to your head. I am still the hoover! 😛

  11. 2 Chronicles 6:18……….

    “But will God indeed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built!

    John 4:23-24…….

    23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”…….

  12. CrossWinds Avatar

    2 Chronicles 6:18……….

    “But will God indeed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built!

    John 4:23-24…….

    23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”…….

  13. letsstayhonest Avatar
    letsstayhonest

    He’s talking about his wishes for Nazareth Illit, a different town close to Nazareth proper. He only speaks for himself, as the Israel courts will correct his non-sense. The Arab Israeli citizens of Illit can walk or drive to Nazareth and perform any religious duty they prefer. It’s a short distance.

    By the way, Nazareth was a Christian majority city for thousands of years. Now the Christians are being slowly pushed out and it’s now a Muslim majority city. Same story as Lebanon.

    I have visited Nazareth (not Illit) and even being a Jew (Argentinian-American) every one treated me in a friendly manner and I could enjoy the great Arab cuisine.

    Salam.

    1. williamgel Avatar

      Nazareth is a better city than the Muslim-centric ones like Umm al-Faqm. The State did very well for the Christians in Nazareth when they pushed back Muslim usurpers who tried to take the Plaza near the Church of the Ascension, and gave it back to the town’s Christians.

      For the most part, Nazareth also produces some who serve in the IDF and perform National Service.

  14. letsstayhonest Avatar
    letsstayhonest

    He’s talking about his wishes for Nazareth Illit, a different town close to Nazareth proper. He only speaks for himself, as the Israel courts will correct his non-sense. The Arab Israeli citizens of Illit can walk or drive to Nazareth and perform any religious duty they prefer. It’s a short distance.

    By the way, Nazareth was a Christian majority city for thousands of years. Now the Christians are being slowly pushed out and it’s now a Muslim majority city. Same story as Lebanon.

    I have visited Nazareth (not Illit) and even being a Jew (Argentinian-American) every one treated me in a friendly manner and I could enjoy the great Arab cuisine.

    Salam.

    1. williamgel Avatar

      Nazareth is a better city than the Muslim-centric ones like Umm al-Faqm. The State did very well for the Christians in Nazareth when they pushed back Muslim usurpers who tried to take the Plaza near the Church of the Ascension, and gave it back to the town’s Christians.

      For the most part, Nazareth also produces some who serve in the IDF and perform National Service.

  15. 5thDrawer Avatar

    Oh Crap. If he drags in the ‘ULTRAS’, the place will go for a shit for sure. There goes the neighbourhood, as they say … housing prices to the dust-bin. :-)))
    Not that I’d care. If they want to live in a concrete warren of sameness, fine. Like most Christians who mostly learned to turn the other cheek properly, I suppose, I’ll read the history of the books, remember there was a place called Nazareth with a stable beside an adobe Inn, but go happily somewhere else where everyone can get along without that Religious crap telling me what I can do.
    Why anyone fights to live there is beyond me.

  16. 5thDrawer Avatar

    Oh Crap. If he drags in the ‘ULTRAS’, the place will go for a shit for sure. There goes the neighbourhood, as they say … housing prices to the dust-bin. :-)))
    Not that I’d care. If they want to live in a concrete warren of sameness, fine. Like most Christians who mostly learned to turn the other cheek properly, I suppose, I’ll read the history of the books, remember there was a place called Nazareth with a stable beside an adobe Inn, but go happily somewhere else where everyone can get along without that Religious crap telling me what I can do.
    Why anyone fights to live there is beyond me.

  17. Igor Chingoski Avatar
    Igor Chingoski

    Is He a Pussy Riot Member…?

  18. Igor Chingoski Avatar
    Igor Chingoski

    Is He a Pussy Riot Member…?

  19. Adam Yonatan Ben Yoel Avatar
    Adam Yonatan Ben Yoel

    This guy is a prick. What he is saying has nothing to do with Netanyahu’s demand though. What he is saying isn’t about a Jewish state but about a supremacist, prejudiced city. Recognizing Israel as a Jewish state doesn’t mean attacking civil rights of minorities. That is something that dumb mayors do in the arse end of the country sometimes.

  20. Adam Yonatan Ben Yoel Avatar
    Adam Yonatan Ben Yoel

    This guy is a prick. What he is saying has nothing to do with Netanyahu’s demand though. What he is saying isn’t about a Jewish state but about a supremacist, prejudiced city. Recognizing Israel as a Jewish state doesn’t mean attacking civil rights of minorities. That is something that dumb mayors do in the arse end of the country sometimes.

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