Israel's News & Views Blog
National Union/ NRP Leader and Knesset parliamentarian Effie Eitam has created a storm among Israel’s Arab citizens by advocating that they be forced to leave the country. Eitam, while speaking on Monday on a talk show radio program by Israel’s armed forces radio station Galei Tzahal, particularly singled those who are members of the Knesset, including Hadash Communist Party head Mahmoud Borca, Raam-Taal Party leader Dr. Ahmed Tibi, and Balad Party chief Azmi Bashawa. Bashawa, in particular, received the brunt of Eitams lambasting, due to the Arab leader’s open support for groups like Hamas and Hezbollah; as well as Bashawa’s trips to Syria, where he met openly with Syrian President Bashar Assad, and exiled Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal.
Eitam is not the only Israeli political figure up in arms over Mr. Bashawas actions, which have reached the stage that his political immunity is being threatened by his overt activities, which in any other country would be considered as treason. Israel’s Arab population, numbering more than 750,000, was openly supportive of both Lebanon and the Hezbollah during the month long military conflict. They have also been highly supportive of the Palestinian national aspirations as well; although in private most of them would not want to live under Palestinian rule. Since Israel became independent in 1948, resulting in what many Arab citizens still regard as “Al Nakba” (the catastrophe), they have never been fully part of Israeli society; and have always been on the short end in regards to employment, housing and educational opportunities. Israeli Arab boys do not serve in the IDF, as opposed to many Druze and Bedouin youth, many of whom even serve in combat positions.
The vast majority of Israel’s Arab population is Sunni Muslims and in recent years, more and more have become involved with radical Islamic groups and idealism. Areas in which this trend has become particularly noticeable are in the ‘triangle’ region between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, and in the Whadi Ara region of the lower Galilee; especially in the town of Um al-Faham. Open aired demonstrations in favor of Palestinian statehood, and for groups like Hamas have become commonplace in the town’s soccer stadium.
Meanwhile, while all of this has been going on, left- winged Meretz political party leader, Dr. Yossi Beilin, has asked the State Legal Advisor, Manny Mazoz, to file a legal indictment against Eitam for slander and incitement against the Arab population. Dr. Beilin was especially incited by Eitam’s remark that “a Jewish democratic state cannot live with such elements as these (in reference to Israeli Arabs in general, and the already mentioned political leaders in particular). Another remark made by Eitam, which upset Beilin was: “It’s impossible to co-exist with all these Arabs; and it’s even more impossible to give up on land because of them”.
Where all of this is going to end, is unclear at present. But what is obvious is that both the Palestinians and the Hezbollah are enjoying the controversy; which is adding even more dilemma to Israel’s already beleaguered political leaders.
(Photograph courtesy of Wikipedia)
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