WHY IS AHMED TIBI A MEMBER OF ISRAEL’S PARLIAMENT?
Israeli-Arab MK tells Arafat memorial ceremony in Ramallah ‘Lieberman a fascist settler living in my land.
Tibi called Arafat “the eldest revolutionary” and “father of our homeland,'” adding that the “apartheid regime in the territories has deepened, and in Israel racism and fascism have reared their heads.”
Knesset Member Ahmad Tibi (United Arab List-Ta’al) on Wednesday called Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman a “fascist settler who recently settled in my homeland.”
During a ceremony in the West Bank city of Ramallah marking the seventh anniversary of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat’s death, the Arab-Israeli lawmaker said, “The Right and the new Likud are smothering our lives. The day will come when they will propose a ‘death to Arabs’ law.”
Tibi was referring to a series of controversial bills that have been initiated by right-wing parliamentarians. Israel’s Left has dubbed the legislation ‘anti-democratic.'”
On Tuesday some members of Knesset demanded that Tibi be forbidden from entering the Palestinian Authority. “They wanted to stop me from coming to you, but I am here, and those in the Right who do not like it can drink from the Dead Sea.
Tibi called Arafat “the eldest revolutionary” and “father of our homeland,'” adding that the “apartheid regime in the territories has deepened, and in Israel racism and fascism have reared their heads.”
The Arab MK also attacked Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, referring to him as a “fascist settler who recently arrived at my homeland.” Following the speech, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas rose from his chair and shook Tibi’s hand.
During the ceremony, Abbas reiterated his demand for the resumption of peace negotiations only on the basis of the establishment of a Palestinian state along the 1967 borders and an end to settlement construction.
Addressing the Israeli public, the Palestinian president said “we are serious and are interested in a just, comprehensive and long-lasting peace, but peace and settlements (don’t mix).”
Abbas also mentioned the Palestinian prisoners issue, saying it must be resolved before any agreement can be reached.
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