Sakhnin Spokesperson: Illegal Israeli Arab construction is different

Aaron Lerner Date: 3 February, 2006

Dr Ghazal Abu Raya, Spokesperson for the Sakhnin municipality and the
Director of "The Jewish-Arab Center for Peace" Givat Haviva Northern Branch
in Sakhnin, told Israel Radio in a live interview broadcast this morning
that illegal construction in Sakhnin is not that same as illegal Jewish
construction in the West Bank. Abu Raya explained that the illegal
construction in Sakhnin was justified because the residents of Sakhnin have
lived there for over 3,500 years and need to build more housing for their
growing population.

Sakhnin is, indeed, an ancient city dating back at least to the time of the
Mishna and Talmud where there are references to the then Jewish city. The
graves of two Rabbis from the third century - Rabbi Yehoshua of Sakhnin and
Rabbi Shimon of Sakhnin are located in the city.

Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA (Independent Media Review & Analysis)
(Mail POB 982 Kfar Sava)
Tel 972-9-7604719/Fax 972-3-7255730
INTERNET ADDRESS: imra@netvision.net.il
Website: http://www.imra.org.il