Palestinians in Israel stage general strike over home demolitions

JERUSALEM (AFP) -- Palestinian citizens of Israel observed a general strike on Tuesday that was to climax with a rally in Tel Aviv to protest against a wave of demolitions of Palestinian homes.

In Palestinian towns in the north of Israel, schools, colleges, public institutions, banks and most shops were closed, media outlets reported. The Higher Arab Monitoring Committee, which represents Palestinian communities in Israel, said the strike was a protest against growing racism as well as the acceleration of house demolitions.

"This strike is a response to the increased action by the Israeli authorities against Arab homes and the ongoing harsh policy of incitement to hatred against Arabs which was launched by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the elections," it said.

It was referring to an incident on March 17 when Netanyahu warned right-wing Jewish voters to turn out because Palestinian citizens of Israel were going to the polls "in droves."

The remarks from Netanyahu -- who won a surprise victory in the polls -- drew a rebuke from US President Barack Obama and were widely criticized in Israel and abroad.

The decision to hold a rally in Tel Aviv rather than in one of the Palestinian cities was aimed at bringing the crisis to the attention of Jewish Israelis.

The demonstration was to take place in Rabin Square from 1400 GMT. more

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