President Shimon Peres spoke with Abu Ghosh Mayor Salim Jaber on Tuesday, in the wake of last night's incident in which vehicles were vandalized and anti-Arab graffiti was sprayed.
President Peres condemned the incident and said, "The events last night in Abu Ghosh, spraying of hate graffiti against the residents and slashing of tires, is racist behavior which crosses a red line.
“We utterly condemn any expression of racism and vandalism. The residents of Abu Ghosh are dear to my heart and to the State of Israel, they are symbols of coexistence. Please send them my best regards and strengthen the spirit of friendship in my name."
Abu Ghosh Mayor Jaber told Peres that the residents of Abu Ghosh woke this morning to find car tires slashed and “racist” anti-Arab graffiti.
According to a press statement from the president, Jaber asked to convey a message of friendship and forgiveness towards all sectors of the population and said, "This act by a small group will not change the residents of Abu Ghosh. We love the Jewish people and the State of Israel. We know that this is the act of a small group which seeks to destroy the good relations, but we are stronger than them."
President Peres also spoke with Israel Police Commissioner Insp.-Gen. Yohanan Danino and received an update on the incident.