No room for violence

The violent incident in Bat Galim made me very angry, because I find any form of violence, and certainly physical violence, outrageous. Moreover, violence on the basis of nationality is cruel and ignorant.

Let us assume for a moment that this act of violence was based on nationality. I wonder what those Arab youths were trying to achieve. Respect? Revenge? There were more than 10 of them. Even in their neighborhood they would not be considered heroes, because who would respect or appreciate 10 violent youths who, in the dark of night, attack two young boys on their way to the emergency room when one of them is experiencing pain in his arm? The balance of power in this scenario can only elicit contempt and suggest ignorance.

In my many encounters with parents to both Jewish and Arab children in Haifa, I always ask that they teach their children to avoid violence at any cost. Our education system employs a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to violence. In my conversations with students I emphasize, almost beg, that they refrain from violence and avoid putting themselves and their friends in danger.

Ahead of every summer vacation I write the children a personal letter listing the dangers of reckless driving, drinking alcohol and violence. And indeed, every time there is an incident of violence I feel personally offended.

This time the incident was extreme. In the educational sense, the ones at fault here were the parents, the education system and the society in which these youths live – but let us not exacerbate the situation. We must allow the police to continue their investigation with determination and without compromise and bring the perpetrators to justice.

In Haifa, an integrated multicultural city that has always served as a shining example of peaceful coexistence between Arabs and Jews, we solve problems by talking, even yelling, but never with violence. There is no room for violence in Haifa, or anywhere else.

The writer is the mayor of Haifa.