The Association of North African Immigrants today demanded a neutral investigation committee to study all claims of discrimination against such immigrants in Israel.
A spokesman for the Association told the press that North African immigrants as a group should not be blamed for the deeds of individual members, including the rioting in Haifa last Thursday in which II policemen and an unknown number of such immigrants were injured. The spokesman condemned North African immigrants responsible for the day-long rioting in which shops were wrecked and parked cars set afire.
The spokesman added that in any evaluation of the problems of North African newcomers, it was necessary to remember that a “rather significant proportion” lived under poor conditions and efforts should be made to improve those conditions.
Meanwhile, Rabbi Abou Khatzera, a former leader of the North African Jewish community, conducted lengthy interviews today with North African immigrant leaders in Haifa in his capacity as a member of a committee named by the Cabinet to investigate the Haifa outbreak.
To maintain quiet in the slum quarter in Haifa where the rioting occurred, the Herut called off a meeting originally scheduled for last night. It was also learned that swift police action in Tiberias prevented a recurrence there of the Haifa disturbances. Police detained in Tiberias a North African immigrant who attacked a bus driver. The immigrant’s wife became hysterical and a group of North African youngsters started a march toward the Tiberias police station. Police quickly dispersed the young marchers.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
