Israeli park criticised for racist

An Israeli park opening for Jewish and Arab schools on separate days was slammed by teachers as well as lawmakers and government officials as racist, local media reported on Thursday. Khaled Shakra, A junior high school teacher in Jaffa, tried to book a field trip with Superland Park in Rishon Lezion but was told the day he requested was not available. However, when he later called again, impersonating a Jewish teacher, the park agreed to give him the day he chose. The park's management acknowledged in a statement that it opens on separate days for Jewish and Arab schools. "I can't even explain how angry and bitter I feel about this," Khaled said. "I had to explain this to my students, after teaching them human values like accepting others. It's unfortunate that the reality outside is different." Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni has asked Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein to inquire into the park's regulations. "If these allegations are true, this is a sign of ill democracy and should be tackled." On Thursday, Amram Mitzna, chairman of the Knesset's ( parliament) education committee, announced the committee will have a discussion on the issue next week. "The behavior of the park's owners is a slap in the face of efforts to curb racism across the Israeli society and we will not keep silent about this," Mitzna said. Also, Israeli Education Minister Shai Piron ordered schools not to visit the park until it has dropped the practice. Several summer camps administrations announced their boycott against the park.