http://www.icahd.org/eng/news.asp?menu=5&submenu=1&item=125Work Camp to Build a Playground in the Ramle
On Saturday, Israeli Arabs and Jews will join together to build a playground at the 'Rakevet' (train) Neighborhood in the mixed city of Ramle. The work camp is organized by "Shatil's mixed cities project", "Ta'ayush- Arab-Jewish partnership" and supported by Kibbutz Dvir.
The neighborhood, where some 250 people live, has no exit/entrance except through the railway tracks. Eight people were killed, crossing the tracks in this area in the past few years. This is an example of the policy of 'non-recognition' of Arab towns, villages and neighborhoods in Israel, a policy aimed at the displacement of the Arab Israeli citizens. Other mechanisms, which are similiar to the ones we are acquainted with in East Jerusalem, are freezing of new building, denial of building permits and house demolitions – all in an attempt to maintain a Jewish majority in these towns. The Arab citizens of these towns are many times prevented social services, health services.. and sometimes, as in the case of the Train neighborhood, their mere residing in these areas poses a constant risk to their lives!