Russian Panthers against Racism in Israeli Schools
MAYOR RACIST TRAVEL TO NY
On 22-January, the mayor of the Israeli city of Beersheba - Jacob Terner – will travel to New York to raise monies for his city. Mayor Terner promised to eliminate corruption and racism in Beersheba. After two (2) years in the mayoral office, the corruption and racism in Beersheba has only worsened. Russian-speaking emigrants - the main object of racist discrimination in the city - continue to suffer greatly. The Children of these immigrants suffer the most
- 79 % of the children suffer at school from verbal harassment (insults, sneers and threats)
- 65 % of the children suffer from beatings received at school.
- 1/3 of the students are afraid to use the school’s toilets.
- 40 % are afraid to go out into the school’s playground or courtyard,
- 35 % the children state that they are even afraid in their classrooms.
They feel unprotected and very vulnerable.
The last week the owner of the school store, at Makif Alef in Beersheba, marched into a classroom and in front of the teacher, hauled a student out of the class, ho ostensibly owed to him money. For girls, these figures are much higher.
- 55 % of the girls complain, that the boys in their classes harass them
- 68 % have stated, that they have approached their teachers with complaints,
- But only 28 % have stated, that their complaints were acted upon.
- 80 % of the occurrences between the children end in a racial incident.
(Israeli newspaper MAARIV12.01.2001 Report of prof. Amos Rolider, Emek Azriel College and 1999 Annual Report of Israeli Children Defense Council)
Mayor Jacob Terner - refuses to acknowledge the presence of racism in Beersheba. Moreover he does not hide his own attitude. Even going so far as to humiliate and mock all the natives from the CIS, referring to them as “Alexes and Natashas”.
The numerous cases of racism are described in the article enclosed below. We call upon everyone to visit our homepage. We will be glad to send any additional materials about our struggle. Tell your friend about us. Write to your senators and representatives. Only your help and attention can help the children suffering in the Beersheba schools. Help us help them.