E-mail exchange – July 9, 2008

#1 To: David Baker Cc: Mark Regev Subject: query to PM concerning suits of Arabs who worked for Jewish farmers in Gush Katif July 9th, 2008

Hundreds of Arabs who worked for Jewish farmers in Gush Katif have now filed law suits against their former employers because they, the Arab employeea, had lost their jobs.

The reaction from the SELA authority, which is supposed to assist these farmers, was that the compensation granted to the former Gush Katif residents included funds to pay damages to Arabs demanding reparation because they had lost their jobs and that any such court cases were the expellee’s problem, not theirs.

Except that the compensation did not cover damages to former employees.

Does SELA expect citizens who were expelled from their homes, who still don’t have permanent residences or employment, to pay off their former employees from whatever is left of their compensation?.

Will the Prime Minister of Israel intervene to help these farmers pay off their former workers and also render leagl assitance to them?

David Bedein The Philadelphia Bulletin

#2 To: David Bedein Cc: Mark Regev

Dear Mr. Bedein,

Thank you for your inquiry.

Please continue to be in contact with SELA.

Regards, David Baker

#3 To: David Baker Cc: Mark Regev

SELA has made it clear that they will NOT help.

The PM oversees SELA

Will the PM overrule SELA?

At the very least, will the PM mandate that the gov’t help the Fatif farmers in court?

Brachot DAVID

#4 To: David Bedein

I am sure SELA will be of assistance to you, as always.

Regards to them.

David

#5 To: David Baker Cc: Mark Regev

Dear Mark and David

SELA’s spokeswoman spoke with us. Her name is Anat. She made it clear, once again, that SELA will N O T help the Katif farmers who are being sued by their former employees.

The question remains: Since the ministerial responsibility over SELA lies with the Prime Minister of Israel, will the PM overrule this decision of SELA to assist the farmers who by no fault of their own fired their Arab workers?

And if not, why not?

Brachot DAVID BEDEIN

#6 To: David Bedein Cc: Mark Regev

Dear Mr. Bedein,

Thank you for utilizing the services of SELA.

David

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