Residents of the Hatikva neighborhood will soon have the opportunity to take self-defense courses, courtesy of MK Michael Ben-Ari and activist Baruch Marzel. The classes are being organized in response to requests by residents of the neighborhood who have been frightened by recent violence committed by illegal African aliens in the neighborhood. In a flyer distributed to residents, Ben-Ari and Marzel write that the purpose of the classes is to “restore security to the neighborhood.” The flyer recounts numerous recent incidents of violence, rape, muggings, and other crimes. Residents, the flyer adds, now believe that police are unwilling or incapable of dealing with the crime wave, and that it is up to residents to defend themselves. The first sessions will take place within the next three weeks. The program will include courses in krav maga , tae kwan do , and tai chi , all of which are different forms of hand-to-hand combat and self-defense. The courses will be taught by professional trainers from communities in Samaria (Shomron). Ben-Ari said that “the effort was born of the insecurity of residents and of the feeling that police are ignoring their pleas for safety. In a situation like this we feel obligated to come forward to help out brothers and sisters, and help them attain tools with which they can defend themselves.” Marzel said that the time had come to end the “silk glove” policy with which police were using to deal with crime by the illegals. “We will not offer the other cheek as the government abandons the residents of south Tel Aviv. We will defend them and show them how to end the fear.” Ben-Ari and Marzel said they would soon expand the program to Eilat, Ashdod, and Arad, where large groups of illegal Africans have settled as well.
