Ashamed to be Arab
By Aryeh DayanThe doctors at the Abarbanel psychiatric hospital in Bat Yam found it hard to believe. Fadi Hafash, a Palestinian from a village near Nablus who had been arrested in Ramat Gan, took his shirt off, revealing three large tattoos in Hebrew. On his back read "Death to haters of the state"; above it, "The world is against us - God is with us"; and to its side, "Kahane lives." On his chest was a tattoo of the Israeli flag, and next to it the name of a Jewish girl who was killed in the Dolphinarium bombing in June 2001. The doctors drew two conclusions from his long and troubled story: that he was telling the truth, and was indeed mentally ill.
He was born in 1977, in the village of Marda. His father is a floor tiler. Fadi, the third of nine siblings, dropped out of school after second grade. In an interview from the hospital, Hafash told Haaretz his story in good, eloquent Hebrew. By age 8 he was accompanying his father to work at Israeli construction sites, and by 15, he had found himself a job at the Petah Tikva market. This was in 1992. At the time, the Israeli government was taking a much harder line regarding the employment of Palestinians in Israel, and Hafash, who did not have a work permit, was afraid of losing his livelihood.
"One day," he recalls, "I was approached by an undercover officer from the Petah Tikva police named Atzmon, who told me that if I wanted to keep working at the market, I had to give him information on Palestinians working there. What could I do? I was a kid, how could I refuse? He threatened that if I did not cooperate, he would not let me enter the country. So I agreed."
For the next four years, he spent mornings working at the market, and returned to his village in the evening. In 1996 the Palestinian security service arrested him and jailed him in Nablus. "They wanted me to confess to cooperating with the Shin Bet, and I didn't, because I knew they would kill me if I did."
He pulls back his pajama sleeve to reveal scars left by Palestinian interrogators. "They burnt me with cigarettes," he says, "hit me, kicked me, horribly abused me." After eight months, his jailers surprisingly consented to his parents' request and granted him a short furlough. His family helped him escape to Israel that very night. He was 19. Since then, he has been living in Israel, where he is considered an illegal alien. He dares not visit Marda, and has not seen his parents nor any other family member.
At first he tried returning to his job at the Petah Tikva market and renewing his contact with Atzmon, but his former employers rejected him and the police had lost interest. Now not only was he homeless and without a family, but he was also devoid of status and rights.
In the end he wound up in Ramat Gan, working days at a greengrocer's and spending nights in an abandoned building, with no water, electricity or furniture. "Little by little I settled in," he says. "I collected all sorts of things from the street. One time I found an old mattress, then an old closet. When I wanted a shower, I filled some bottles with water and heated it on an old gas burner."
In the evenings, he would roam the streets to pass time before going to sleep. He was arrested twice by the police, who drove him to a road block east of Kafr Qasem and told him to return to his village. "I waited until the cops were gone and returned to Ramat Gan," he says. "If I were to enter the Palestinian territories, I would be killed."
One summer night in 1999, he was sitting in the yard of Ramat Gan's Zommer school - which he calls a meeting place for Palestinian illegals and young Russian immigrants. There Hafash, then 22, met a young woman. She was younger than him. "We were friends for two years," he says. They met often, occasionally going to Tel Aviv clubs. This is what they were planning to do on Friday, June 1, 2001, when a Hamas suicide bomber detonated a bomb standing in line outside the Dolphinarium club, killing 21 people.
The two had been separated at the entrance. "I went inside, and she stayed outside waiting for two friends." Several minutes later, he heard the terrible explosion. "The entire building shook, and I knew right away it was a terrorist attack," he recalls. The events have been etched in his mind ever since. Several seconds passed before he realized his friend could not have met her friends and entered the club in the short time since they parted. He started worrying about her, but also about himself. "The Dolphinarium has two entrances, and the bombing was next to one," he says. "Several minutes after the explosion, the guards opened the second entrance and asked everyone to exit. I was afraid of being lynched. I'm an Arab and there had been a terrorist attack. I knew that as soon as someone recognized me as an Arab, I would be attacked and killed."
Worried sick about his friend, he decided to bolt. He did not hear from her the following day, and had no one to call. He did not know her parents and was afraid to call the police or hospitals. On Sunday, 36 hours after the attack, "I saw her picture on the front page."
He returned to working at the store, sleeping in the abandoned building and roaming the streets. "I went into a deep depression," he says. "I ate out of the garbage like a junkie. I was very angry about this bombing. Instead of fighting soldiers, they go and kill kids. I was angry with all the Arabs. I also stopped talking with the illegals. I was ashamed of being born an Arab. I wanted to be a Jew."
He got tattooed shortly after the bombing. "I had it done in a shop in Rishon Letzion. I asked the man to put the Israeli flag with her name on my chest, and 'Kahane lives' on my back. He said he wouldn't do it. I offered to pay double, but he said money was not the issue. He asked me if I was sure I wanted to have it done, and if I realized what I was doing to myself. I said I did, that I hated Arabs and wanted these tattoos on my body. So he agreed."
Hafash says he does not regret it.
Two months ago, Hafash says he got into a fight with a store owner who employs Palestinian illegals and allows them to sleep on his premises. "His illegals know me and my opinions, and they started cursing me," he says. "When I told them I would report them to the police, they called their employer and all attacked me together. In the end the store owner and his brothers filed a complaint against me with the police, saying I threatened them with a knife."
The police have a different version. According to the indictment submitted to the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court, Hafash instigated the brawl, and attacked the store owner with a knife. He is also charged with staying in the country illegally. The penalty is deportation.
Hafash showed the court his tattoos, and was sent for observation in Abarbanel. Dr. Natan Caspi, the psychiatrist who examined Hafash, told the court that Hafash is not fit to stand trial. This diagnosis resulted in his case being dismissed, but created a more serious problem for Hafash: According to regulations, a patient who cannot stand trial must be transferred to a hospital in the area of his residence - in Hafash's case, the psychiatric hospital in Bethlehem. But Caspi's conscience would not let him allow this to happen: He is convinced that when the tattoos are discovered, Hafash's life will be in danger.
Hafash says he would rather "commit suicide in Abarbanel than get murdered in Bethlehem," and has even tried to realize this threat. Caspi, in council with the head of his department, Dr. Clara Shield, turned to the Health Ministry's Tel Aviv district psychiatrist, Dr. Uzi Shay. Shay was not impressed by the danger facing Hafash in Bethlehem, and insisted he be transferred.
Caspi turned to Physicians for Human Rights, which sent letters to the ministers of health and interior, asking them to take Hafash's situation under consideration and find a way to treat him in Israel. The ministers have not yet responded, but Prof. Yehuda Baruch, the director of Abarbanel, used his own authority. Two weeks ago, he signed an order to keep Hafash hospitalized for a month.
This is a temporary solution. At the end of the month, Hafash will face a committee of two doctors and a legal expert, who will have to decide whether he should be released. If the committee decides to release him, the police will probably arrest him as an illegal alien and deport him to the Palestinian Authority. If it decides he needs further hospitalization, Abarbanel will again be asked to transfer him to a hospital in Bethlehem, and again his life will be in danger.
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i'm fadi relative from marda village near nablus it the real name and i'm aware of his story everybody in marda knows he is mad.he left home to work in the market when he was 13 years old. shin beet used him to spy on his people after controlling him by drugs and throw him later.if he's sorry for his lover he supposed to be sorry for his brothers they r kids also who live in poverty because of ocupation.israel state will disappoint him they doesn't respect who betray his own people.if not congradulation u gain agood citizen
I am verey Ashamed , because the Palestinian people has a human like Fadi . Fadi must has the suetable punishment.
Whether there is truth to what you say or not, the two-state solution is a fantasy. We cannot turn back the clock on the West Bank, nor was it ever intended to be a Palestinian State, judging by past leader's statements, as well as Olmert's words. I suggest you read "The Iron Wall" by Avi Slaim. The excuse for not sharing the land is always the threat of violence, but ironically, violence is the result by the segregation and oppression of non-Jews in the land of the Bible. I never said it was easy to live together in peace, but it is easier than this endless cycle of violence, and I believe it is the will of God.
Manifest destiny was a mistake and we no longer require Native Americans to live on reservations. The biblical lands are the birthplaces of many peoples. I do not agree that restoring the indigenous people of this land the right to live there in their ancestral homeland somehow takes away the right of Abraham's children to live there in harmony. That is your assumption not mine.
What else eh? do they make cars, I mean a typical UAE car made, do they have technology? Constructions and nothing else and you are even very late for that, still a huge sahara you need alot of time to build on and fell the gap. Dubai is not on the Tsunami line is it??
anyone can't believe that happened,,happening,or will happen..all peoplez of the world know that palestinianz struggle,,
I'm Syrian residing in Dubai. The economy here is great. But I didn't want to mention it since we're talking about Israel's neighboring countries only. Iraqi immigrants are much more in Syrian than Jordan.
Bull story .
Hi Tom, I'm just wondering, can you give some sources for the info you gave regarding shabak's methods as well as Israeli vs Russian jails? Thanks!
we will always make the same mistakes !! this kind of story have been seen many times in the history of israel for example with the south lebanese army that we almost left dying !!!how do we consider people that work for the good of the country jews or arabs ? we must give them all the respect and the protection that they deserve !!!
Fred, I do not think that most of the West Bank Palestinians would agree to your idea, nor would the Israelis. They want their own states. And right now there is too much hostility between the two peoples. Unfortunately the Middle East is not as safe, nice, and laid back as Oregon. It is easy for us to say "Let's all live together in peace," when we have not the cultural and religious differences in this majority white, Christian state that they do.
coming from a vast continent of endless size, which was aquired by the inspiration of the 'manifest destiny' that God promised the Americans they would inherit the whole continent from sea to shining sea. And you dare to tell us we do not have the right to a country the size of New Jersey which is the birthplace of the Jewish people?
This young man should be given Israeli citizenship. There are many in Israel- Arabs, Jews, and others who do not feel so strongly about the need for and legitimcy of Israel. Perhaps Fadi could even tell his story to his own people, to show them that the cycle of violence and hatred is a hopeless pathetic waste. All Arabs and Jews should try to create a "Great Society" (Israel and Palestine) that could demonstrate how seemingly hopeless conflicts could be healed. Fadi, like many others is a victim of this conflict. If he is "crazy", then it was his personal exposure to this conflict that did him in. They should also help him remove those tatoos.
Dr. Shay is like a Swiss border guard in the 1940's. The good doctor really missed his calling. He should be working for immigration. In any country really. Israel. Saudi Arabia. Same type. Anyway, perfect first name.
did you forget the part about his Jewish friend who was blown up? THAT is what made him angry. Much more then anything else. He didn't decide to hate Arabs until then.
He should be given residence in Israel He has suffered too much. Israel does let international Solidarity movement fellows to enter Israel, when it comes to palestinian that can , will be killed in case they are deported to the territories israel does seem not to care. Since the guy has his life in risk in the pali territories he should be given assylum- He is a refugee.
Your use of the word "palistine" discloses your agenda and renders your argument moot, your opinions are not driven by facts rather by a racist ideological fiction which you've clearly ascribed to.
remember the south lebanon army, SLA? they have collaborated with the zionists and now they are outcasts in israel in lebanon.
Your prapoganda against Shabbak (it's no longer Shin Bet) is not surprising. Thank God for the work of Shabbak or else Israelis and Jews would be daily victims of Islamic barbarism. You know what I mean by Islamic barbarism the type that would make Nazis look like amatuers. No other intelligence agency is so restrained by laws and concerned for human and legal rights. Go cry about the KGB/FSB or the British MI-5&6 or the CIA and how they conduct interrogations. You cry about supposed torture about the Shabbak, but the whole world knows the fact that CIA uses your fellow Muslim/Arab countries like Egypt, Kuwait, Jordan to torture their terror suspects because Muslim/Arab intelligence agencies are masters of torture. In Russia Chechen Jihadis starve in cold prisons, while Palestinian Jihadis get 3 hot Halal meals, allowence, vists from the Red Cross and family, education oppartunities all on the Israeli tax payers money.
drop the charges & give him assylum
Iraqi and Palestinians living in jordan. Hey Palestinians people in jordan don't let any Iraqi take control of business in jordan. I heard many Iraqis and Lebanese are waiting for visa to get out of their countries.
Dear Arab neighbor, no one suggested that Fadi hates Arabs or Islam -- just the hatred of non-Muslims that radical Islam teaches. Only your comments suggested that all Arabs/Islam = hatred. Most revealing.
If everyone at Haaretz wore a tatoo or T-shirt with the words "Kahane was right"
Actually the economic situation in Arab countries isn't as bad as you make it out to be. Bicycles are pretty cheap and easy to by. I don't know what the British media has been feeding you lately, but you sure have been misinformed. Secondly, I did not compare Israel to other Arab countries!! Why is it that whenever someone talks about something going wrong in Israel everyone starts comparing it to the Arabic lot around it!! The Arabic countries surrounding Israel suck!! We all know that. However, Israel claims to be democratic, civilized, moral, just and humane. I have never heard an Arabic country claiming to be any of those!! Finally, there's a huge property boom in the Arab world actually, since all the money which was abroad is coming home now. And thanks to the endless flow if IRaqi and Palestinian refugees. Homes and apartments are selling like crazy. It's the US that's going through a bad spell in property market these days!
There is a reason why you have been reading recently about Palestinians are seeking to file a case at the Hague against Shin Bet. This organization is about as diabolical and evil as they come. I have known people who were taken by Shin-Bet to only come back heroin addicts and many do come back nuts with mental problems. The psychological terror by Shin-Bet, which this forum is not adequate for to address, is immense. Abu Ghraib is disney land compared to what Shin Bet does does to it's captives. I have great empathy for this individual in this article and I pray he finds some peace and normalcy. I know Israel will spit him out and sadly, his return to Palestine will not be any better. In short, another victim of Zionism. When the smoke settles, Israel is no more an occupier and belligerent party, peace reigns, history will document these cases and the horror will be exposed to the light of day. It's beyond shocking what Shin-bet engages in.
Tough luck Fadi.
and after that they let go him free. Hafash is a big lier if its true his life is in danger then why they didn't kill him in the first place? maybe he caused the scars on his body to himself deliberately.
Israelis must find a way to protect this man and let him live in Israel.
"An Arab who hates the hatred of Islam is ruled insane? Sounds like the opposite is true to me. Why don`t religious figures reach out to Fadi? A man with his beliefs might make a good Jew. Why not explore whether he and other Arabs may be interested in converting to Judaism?" According to Kenny, Step 1 of becoming a Jew: Hate Arabs and Islam. Step 2: Tattoo I hate Arabs on your body. Step 3: be mentally ill! :)
Help Fadi, be compassionate.
Tell me what about the other arab neighbors economy, any idea about developments rather than the real estate, take away food and emigrating?? Well...most of the apartments in the arab countries are empty because of the poor incomes and lack of jobs, many arab can't aford to buy a bicycle these days.
That was really cute.
Hello Ben, re-his name for protection purposes, if so then his life is not in danger. As you said no one heard about him so he mustn't be afraid at all and he should be living in PA area. Itsik....leave Harrowindia On The Hill and go back to India you looser.
This is a good example of how events and experience can shape a person's opinion and outlook. Israel should absorb the West Bank into the State of Israel and give the Palestinians there full rights and citizenship. Palestinian refugees should be able to apply for Israeli citizenship. God gave us this land to share.
The poor chap suffered long enough. He stayed in Isreal long and proved that he had no ill intentions. He should be given his chance
Deport Bishara to Bethlehem and let Fadi stay in Israel.
Sadly, Israel's official rabbinate conversion policy is so ridiculous, I doubt it could be of any help here. Fadi needs a workable chance to convert from Islam to Judaism.
if Haaretz is wants to put more work and action into such topics, i suggest they go visit ex-lahad soldiers.yes the so called soldiers that were based in southern lebanon, who had excellent relations with the shinbet. I am sure you would find similar and more interesting stories between them. I personally would love to read about them.
Where is the outrage that a person who may have committed a crime will face certain summary execution by the "democraticlly" elected legitimate government of these islamo-fascist palestinians. Alternatively, a lynch mob or gang of killers would do the job. Great culture and society we live next to. As to this young man, if the Shin bet used him for information, they owe him protection as do we all, regardless of his motives. Just reinforces the need for a taller and wider wall to keep that culture from sneeking into our homes.
I don't know about this fellow. However, he is an arab and along will the illegal arabs should go. Security threat.
Tamir MiRaza, go back to Egypt Ya'idiot! his name is protected from people like you who can only see up to H'amoulot and revenge! smoke something to calm you down a bit...
Of course they would not give the real names. Israel, which respects human life, would not lead these people to certain death by printing their real names.
Firstly, I do not blame the Pals for thinking he's a spy for Shin Bet (I dislike the torture though). This man's a coward. He chose to rat his friends out than to lose his own job. He made God knows how many other poor Pals lose their jobs and probably only source of income in difficult days so he can stay safe. Second, he tattoos himself in a clear show of resentment towards Arabs and Pals, and a clear plea for Jews to accept him as one of them. Jews never did accept him, and Arabs would probably take his life, and he's afraid of that. He mentioned he didn't care if he had the tattoos, he hates Arabs. Well, he's begging not to be sent to Pal lands now! Lastly, this is the result of the social injustice seen in Israel on a daily basis. If the Pals are given proper means to develop their economy, and weren't living in such harsh and poor conditions, such tragedies would not have to happen. "The have-nots wanting to be with the haves."
An Arab who hates the hatred of Islam is ruled insane? Sounds like the opposite is true to me. Why don't religious figures reach out to Fadi? A man with his beliefs might make a good Jew. Why not explore whether he and other Arabs may be interested in converting to Judaism?
I know of cited cases where Israeli's have risked their lives to save so-called collaboraters from almost certain death in their PA controlled villages. The details are not so clear in this case, I wonder whether it is his mentally unstable state that disturbes the doctors and Israeli officials. Lets face it; like Hafash's back and front - who knows which side will turn up next! It is very sad for Hafash and I hope he finds peace and security. But at the end of the day, there are so many deeply felt insecurities here among the Israeli officials that are mentioned - yet, should we be surprised, afterall that is what suicide terrorism is designed to create.
If its ture then whats his full name? Hafash and his father name Fadi? yea right. The two names don't make sense.
Clearly this unusual situation requires the utmost compassion for this human being who has much stronger pro Israel feelings than Palestinian. He is a victim of circumstances and the granting of citizenship is the only correct thing to do. Should he be killed due to the stipid bueracracy?
This story does not make sense. This Palestinian feels at home in Israel and wants to stay. There is no evidence that he could resort to terror. I think he should be allowed to stay as a legal resident and to work in Israel. People like him should be accepted not rejected.
Does this man fits to be a doctor? ! he took the oath to save life and yet he signs for death? Good to read there were other sane ones who care
The only justice which can be done in this case is to offer the boy an Israelian identity. The Shin Bet used him and because of this he is in danger in his own country. History can't be changed. But to give this boy any future he should get permission to build up a live. He should get permission to get a job, to make a living and get legal protection and treatment in a save place for all the psychiatric problems. But I don't believe the Israeli Justice system will be righteous enough to decide this.
You can curse "Leftists" all you like but you will be immoral and against Judaism, Chrstianity, Islam and most known religions if you would not let him stay as he is clearly scarred for doing nothing but trying to be a member of society. Voldamor was right! "There is no black and white, good and bad, there is only power and those too weak to seak it!" Those whom he called weak are the strongest shade of our society for it is them who paint the colours of social justice, generousity and faith in thy brotherens. Without those colours there will be just black and white and people like our anti hero Fadi will be dead along with the 18 million who died for the sake of Facism. It is Yom Hashoa (Holocaust memorial day, next week. Remember and respect them all because God has created us all in his image.