Four hundred Jews and Arabs, meeting in a huge army tent in the village where 48 Arabs were killed by Israel border police a year ago, joined in a feast of reconciliation this morning.
Families of the killed and wounded Arabs solemnly agreed with mayors and other leaders of surrounding Jewish communities to make a new start toward peaceful relations at the “Sulha.” The Israel Government will pay about 400,000 pounds to heirs of the dead and to the wounded.
A military trial continued meanwhile of eleven members of the border police, then under command of the Israel Army, who have been accused in the killings which occurred on the eve of the Sinai campaign. Police Minister Behar Shitreet was one of the Israel Government officials who attended the reconciliation.
At the “Sulha,” the Chief Rabbi of nearby Petach Tikvah blessed the gathering and expressed the hope of future cooperation between Jews and Arabs. Arab speakers included the grandson of the local mukhtar, who stood beside him as he spoke The local teacher of the Arab village, who is the son of its religious leader, said that the grief which had been felt in Kafr Kassem was felt throughout Israel Kafr Kassem is one of the most peaceful Arab villages in the “triangle” area opposite the Jordan border in Central Palestine.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
