Kfar Qassem Marks 70 Years Since Massacre, Demands Recognition
Translated & summarized from Al-Shams by baba
Kfar Qassem marked the 70th anniversary of a 1956 massacre with a day of mourning, a march, and educational events. The massacre resulted in 49 deaths and over 50 injuries in the town of 1,500. The city's mayor renewed calls for official state recognition and justice for the victims' families. The commemoration also addressed current issues of incitement and racism.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Kfar Qassem marked the 70th anniversary of a massacre that killed 49 people and injured over 50.
- The city observed a day of mourning with shop closures and school suspensions for the commemoration.
- The mayor demanded official state recognition of the massacre and justice for victims' descendants.
- Events included a march, memorial services, and artistic and literary competitions for youth.
- The commemoration also addressed rising incitement and racism within Israeli society.
The city of Kfar Qassem marked the 70th anniversary of a massacre that occurred on October 29, 1956. The commemoration involved a day of mourning, with shops closed except for food stores, and schools suspending classes. The city organized a march and various events to honor the victims and educate younger generations about the event.
The mayor of Kfar Qassem stated that the annual commemoration aims to keep the massacre's events alive in memory and inform new generations about the details of the killings and injuries. He explained that the massacre resulted in the deaths of 49 people and injured over 50 others, in a town with a population of approximately 1,500 at the time. He emphasized that the psychological and human impact of the event remains present in the city, even after seven decades.
The commemoration program included a march from the old city center to the massacre site and memorial, followed by a return to the cemetery for prayers and speeches. Schools hosted art and creative activities, including drawing competitions and poetry contests, to express the city's pain. The events were set to conclude with a national festival featuring Jamal Zahalka, head of the Follow-up Committee for the Affairs of the Arab Citizens in Israel.
The mayor reiterated the city's demand for official state recognition of the massacre, noting that the perpetrators were from the Israeli Border Police and the victims were citizens of Israel. He also called for justice for the victims' descendants and for the city itself, citing ongoing grievances such as restricted expansion and demolition orders, and significant disparities between Arab and Jewish towns.
Addressing the rise in incitement and racism, the mayor described the Arab community as being in a sensitive phase due to what he termed increasing extremism in Jewish society and events in the West Bank. He urged the Arab community to take responsibility, preserve its identity, existence, and future, advocating for wisdom and patience in dealing with the current situation as a minority within a strong state.
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