RAMALLAH: Israeli Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch of extreme rightist Israel Beiteinu party ignited a firestorm of controversy yesterday after telling an undercover police officer disguised as a drug addict that he resembled an Araboush (Hebrew equivalent of “sand nigger”) — an extremely derogatory term for Arabs.
Aharonovitch asked to meet undercover agents during a tour of the crime-ridden old central bus station in Tel Aviv on Tuesday. One of the agents who arrived to meet the minister apologized, saying “I’m a little dirty,” to which Aharonovitch replied “Why dirty? You look like a real Araboush.”
The comments were made in full view of media cameras and were clearly picked up by microphones. Aharonovitch was being briefed on measures taken to combat drugs and crime in the area, and officers on the ground called the undercover officer over to the public security minister for an impromptu meeting.
The comment has drawn fierce criticism from Arab leaders inside Israel. Ahmed Tibi, the Knesset member and chairman of United Arab List party said that “Everyday, Aharonovitch’s dirty mouth emits the odor of sewage.”
“It would have sounded more authentic in German ... Israel is turning into a Jewish, Lieberman-style racist state. Israel Beiteinu has become the world’s most racist government faction,” Tibi said.
