Likud holds Id al-Adha event for Arab sector

Wednesday night’s event was unique because it was organized by the Likud and intended to persuade Arab Muslims to support the party of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

By GIL HOFFMAN
Deputy Regional Cooperation Minister Ayoub Kara addresses attendees at an event held for Arab supporters of the Likud yesterday in Kalansuwa (photo credit: COURTESY OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY REGIONAL COOPERATION MINISTER)
Deputy Regional Cooperation Minister Ayoub Kara addresses attendees at an event held for Arab supporters of the Likud yesterday in Kalansuwa
(photo credit: COURTESY OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY REGIONAL COOPERATION MINISTER)
There are plenty of political events in Israel for the Muslim holiday Id al-Adha, but they are usually hosted by Labor, Meretz or one of the four parties that make up the Joint List.
Wednesday night’s event was unique because it was organized by the Likud and intended to persuade Arab Muslims to support the party of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The event was held at a restaurant in the Arab village of Kalansuwa, located about 15 km. east of Netanya, and was attended by Deputy Regional Cooperation Minister Ayoub Kara, MK Amir Ohana and hundreds of Likud activists in the Arab sector as well as local Muslims.
“It’s important to celebrate the holiday together and let people here know that the Likud is a strong party that believes in peace,” said event organizer Nidal Taya of Kalansuwa, who has been in the party for 15 years and has registered hundreds of Arabs to be Likud members.
“Netanyahu is good for the Arabs, good for everyone, good for peace,” Taya said. “Everything will come at the right time.
Peace will happen, little by little. Meanwhile, we want equality for us. Who cares about the Palestinians in Gaza? Jews and Arabs live together here, and what is good for you is good for us, and what is good for us is good for you.”
Since a statement he made on Election Day last year about Arabs voting in droves, Netanyahu has tried to reach out to the sector.
Netanyahu visited a school in the northern Arab city of Tamra last week on the first day of school. He also recently briefed reporters in the Arab sector and released a video in which he addressed the sector.
Joint List MK Jamal Zahalka made fun of the event.
“The Likud has more Arab members than voters,” he said. “Arabs don’t go in droves to vote for Netanyahu.”