Anonymous donor promises free firecrackers to those who ‘live near hostile population.’
By Ilan Lior | reposted from Ha’aretz
The Mateh Binyamin Regional Council in the West Bank is offering financial support for holding fireworks displays in settlements near Palestinian villages on Israel’s Independence Day. “We’re considering an initiative of a donor to make a significant contribution meant to fund fireworks near hostile populations this coming Independence Day,” read a letter to the heads of regional council committees and settlements in the Mateh Binyamin area.
The head of the Binyamin community center, Amit Kadmon, who signed the letter, wrote that the cost of holding a fireworks display “near enemy populations” would be about 9,000 shekels each. The settlements would be asked to contribute 1,500 shekels to the cost, and the rest would be covered jointly by the donor, the community center and the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council.
In contrast, settlements that “are not close to hostile populations” would be granted only 1,500 shekels in aid for fireworks displays, and only if these settlements would commit to contributing at least 4,000 shekels of their own “to ensure that the fireworks are significant.”
“If you are interested in having a fireworks display, please respond urgently to this message. We are trying to finalize a list of settlements and finish with this important task,” wrote Kadmon in his message to the heads of the settlements in Mateh Binyamin. “Together we will carry on and with God’s help, succeed,” continued Kadmon.
Speaking to Haaretz on Tuesday, Kadmon refused to comment on his proposal and willingness to encourage fireworks displays near Palestinian villages. “I’m not interested in speaking about it,” he said, and referred further questions to the regional council spokesperson.
“It pains me that the state is encouraging the teasing of disadvantaged populations,” said one resident from a settlement in the Mateh Binyamin area, who asked to remain nameless. “What angers me is that there are government officials with the intent to incite. Instead of the state encouraging peace between residents and understanding and brotherhood, it’s encouraging escalation, disguised as celebration. It also angers me that everything is done in secret, under the table. There hasn’t been any consultation with the people here, just ‘come get money.’ Rich people intervene in our lives with their money − in this case an anonymous donor is trying to stir up trouble in the area. I’m ashamed to be part of this regional council, which is encouraging continued hatred.”
The Mateh Binyamin Regional Council spreads over an area of about 386 square miles, between the Jordan River Valley in the east to Israel’s coastal plain in the west, and between the Jerusalem corridor in the south and southern Samaria in the north. There are 45 settlements and outposts in the area, which include roughly 60,000 residents. Settlements adjacent to Palestinian villages include Psagot, Shilo, Eli, Ofra, Ateret, Beit Horon and Neveh Tzuf.