Middle East Monitor / June 11, 2021
The Israeli Mayor of Lod city, Yair Revivo, along with members of the religious nationalist movement known as the “Torah Nucleus” yesterday stormed an Arab primary school in the city in an effort to confiscate its playground to include it into the grounds of a Jewish school, Arab48 reported.
The move was carried out under the full protection of Israeli Police.
Arab citizens of Lod said the municipality has recently decided to confiscate the Al-Razi Prime School’s yard to build a Jewish military college.
The intrusion came after a number of Arab activists and residents in Lod planted trees in the yard.
A school teacher told Arab48: “We were surprised when the police forces arrived at the school, accompanied by the mayor and the Torah Nucleus extremists. The scene was not comfortable for us and the students, who have been living in fear as a result of recent events,” in reference to police attacks and raids carried out against the homes of Palestinian citizens of Israel last month.
“The municipality wants to confiscate the school’s yard in favour of the Jewish school, but the parents and activists are rushing to protect it.”
Revivo of the Likud party is known for his close ties with the “Torah Nucleus”, which promotes what it calls “Jewish values in impoverished cities”.
Revivo has incited hate against Arabs citizens of Israel, advanced discriminatory policies and emboldened the Torah Nucleus.
