MSNBC: Arab Israelis feeling vulnerable (racism, think Hurricane Katrina)

[originalpckelly]

You may or may not know this, but Israel has Arabs living in it. This story comes from Nazareth:

"'We heard explosions in the night, but we had nowhere to go,' said Yihiya Sotari, 44, who for three decades has sold taped Islamic sermons, tracts and prayer beads from a market stall. 'In Jewish towns you have shelters and sirens, but here you have nothing,' he said. 'When it comes to security matters, it is an issue where the Arabs have no say. It is a Jewish-only issue.'
...
Snip
...After Iraqi attacks with Scud missiles during the 1991 Persian Gulf War, Israel passed a law requiring every new building to include a bombproof bunker. But most of the homes, apartments and office buildings here predate that regulation, and few of the centuries-old stone buildings that climb up the hillside from Paulus VI Avenue have shelters. There are no public bomb shelters here, although some schools plan to open up basements during air raids.

On the next hilltop, the largely Jewish town of Nazaret Ilit has a number of shelters.

"I have discussed the issue with the Ministry of Interior and the home front and they have said there is no money for them," said Ramez Jaraysi, the mayor."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13908646/from/RS.5/

Is anyone reminded of Hurricane Katrina here? I thought Israel was such a wonderful democracy. Why don't these people "have money" for bomb shelters? Sounds like the kind of thing that would have happened in American 50-60 years ago.

[BayCityProgressive]

1. does the US or any other democracy in the world

have handicap access or bomb shelters in every building? Nope, didn't think so. That being said, there should be at least public bomb shelters where people who live in old buildings can go. Is it racist? Probably not. Is it leaving the poor behind like we see all too often, of course it is.

[originalpckelly]

2. No, there is a law in Israel that requires bunkers be available...

if you will read the article. Somehow the funds are not available for the Israeli Arabs.

[JackNewtown]

4. Israel is progressive--the only real democracy in the ME

I am sure there are ample shelters for Israeli Arabs.

[AnOhioan]

3. Yep, the Israeli gov't...about as effective as our gov't

Not saying alot, is it??