Lower Galilee council head: I don’t want Arabs in our pools

[Little Tich]

Source: Times of Israel

Moti Dotan cites ‘hygiene culture’ as one of the reasons for keeping Arab bathers out of local swimming facilities

The head of the Lower Galilee Regional Council said Thursday that he does not want to see Arabs in his local community pools, alleging that they have different bathing practices and a “hygiene culture” that is “not like ours.”

The official, Moti Dotan, whose council in the north of the country comprises 18 regional Jewish and agricultural communities in an area dotted with Arab villages, made the comments during a live interview with Radio Kol Chai.

The station had previously sent a questionnaire to northern council leaders about whether or not they would let non-locals use their swimming pools. Dotan’s written response prompted the station to speak to him directly for further clarification.

“Someone once told me that leaders should show leadership and not popularity on social media. I mean every word. To maintain pools costs a lot of money,” Dotan said. “Therefore, I think that those who are not from the community and the area should pay more.

Read more: http://www.timesofisrael.com/lower-galilee-council-head-i-dont-want-arabs-in-our-pools/