Raja Zaatry, deputy mayor of the northern Israeli city of Haifa, resigned from this post Dec. 12 under Israeli pressure and a media campaign against him by the Israeli right wing. This came as a result of Zaatry’s positions seen by senior Israeli officials as against Israel. Zaatry was also accused of supporting Hamas and Hezbollah.
Commenting on Zaatry’s resignation, Haifa Mayor Einat Kalisch Rotem said in a statement, “The Arab community in Israel was and will remain part of the leadership of the city of Haifa.” She noted that the personal war against Zaatry has ended.