SAFED, MOST RACIST CITY IN ISRAEL? November 23rd 2010

SAFED, Israel. The Israeli city of Safed has been making headlines ever since its chief rabbi issued a religious ruling banning the sale or renting of property to Arabs. A decree which prompted one reknowned Israeli editorialist to call Safed: "the most racist city in Israel." The anti-arab campaign launched by Safed's chief rabbi has put a city used to be in the spotlight but for completely different reasons. Safed is famous for being one of the four main holy cities of Judaism, and the birth place of Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas. But its also known for its cheese and for attracting Kabalah (Jewish mysticism) enthusiasts,like Madonna, from around the world. Its chief rabbi is now warning the young Jewish girls of the risks they run if they date Arab men. This campaign sparked violent comments and attacks on Arab residents carried out by ultra orthodox Jews. But Jews who rent to Arabs have also been targetted. Practically no one dares to rent to some of the 1300 Arab students in a town which holds some 40 000 Israeli Jews. While the American administration is still trying to save the peace process, relations between the Jewish and Muslim communities of Safed are rapidly deteriorating.