Last Updated 7/17/2014 at 4:15 PM

Jerusalem–In a joint statement, B’Tselem and Rabbis For Human Rights lambasted  credible reports that Israel’s juvenile justice system forced at-risk youth to spend time with MK Hanin Zoabi (Balad).  Israel’s version of the “Scared Straight” program popularized in the United States starting in the 1970’s was condemned by Rabbis for Human Rights’ Stanley Finkelstein; “This sort of disproportionate response by Israeli authorities cannot stand.  It does not contribute to peace, and I am going to catch hell from the Oxfam guys during tomorrow’s monthly Board Meeting at the Ann Arbor Food Co-Op”.  Shuki Cohen, Spokesman for Israel’s Department for Juvenile Justice defended the practice, stating “We just wanted to scare the kids with a really unpleasant experience, but without all the creepy ‘Tossed Salad’ references from the American version.”

MK Zoabi, for her part reacted angrily to the effort, stating “I do not recognize the legitimacy of this action by the Fascist Government and I do not recognize this interview conducted by the Occupier. ” Then she shoved us and stormed off.