"Israel's international airport adds Arab security workers following complaint of discrimination"

Friday, September 5, 2003

Israel's international airport adds Arab security workers following
complaint of discrimination
The Associated Press


JERUSALEM - Israel's international airport is hiring 10 Arab security
workers following complaints from an Arab police officer who said he was
humiliated by thorough checks of his luggage and identification, an official
said Thursday.

The new Arab workers will be hired immediately at Ben-Gurion International
Airport near Tel Aviv, Airport Authority CEO Gabi Ophir told Israel's
Channel One TV.

Israeli Druse police officer Aazi Sayekh complained publicly about his
treatment at the airport last week, alleging discrimination.

Israeli airport security workers are on constant alert for possible terror
attacks, and travelers often go through a long process of questioning and
luggage inspection.

Israeli Arabs make up about one-fifth of Israel's 6.6 million people. The
Druse, who practice an offshoot of Islam, make up a tiny fraction of Arabs,
and less than 2 percent of the total Israeli population.

Israel's Arabs often say they are discriminated against in economic
opportunities, land distribution and civil rights. For the most part,
Israeli Jews and Arabs live in separate communities.


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