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 Israeli Arabs express mixed feelings for PM
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has long been reviled among Palestinians and Israeli Arabs alike for his right-wing political views and his bloody military career. But the pullout from Gaza and talk of a Palestinian state tempered feelings of resentment to the prime minister, at least for some Arab citizens of Israel
Roee Nahmias
Sheikh Abdallah Nimr Darwish, the head of Israel’s Islamic Movement’s southern branch, described his feelings regarding Prime Minister Ariel Sharon by saying “I speak of Sharon as I spoke of (former prime minister Yitzhak Rabin). The day Rabin was assassinated I felt that a window of opportunities was closed, and I feel the same at the moment. Sharon will be remembered as someone who reached a historical peak.”
The comments reflect the warm feelings Sharon enjoys among Israel’s Arab community,
which had long resented the prime minister for his staunch policies against the Palestinians. Yet the August withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and the defection from Likud to form a more centrist party fostered a sense among Israeli Arabs that the man once perceived as a danger to Middle East stability is capable of brokering peace with the Palestinians.
| Encouraging News |
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| Hadassah: Significant change in PM’s condition / Vered Luvitch |
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(VIDEO) Hospital anesthesiologist reports Tuesday evening of significant change for the better in Sharon’s condition, adding that the prime minister in no immediate danger even though his condition still listed as serious |
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“If you would have asked me to vote for Sharon prior to 2001, I would have favored to cut my hand. However in these elections I proudly called on everyone to vote for him,” Talal Kirnawi, the mayor of Rahat told Ynet.
“Sharon is the prime minister for all, and I, as well as many other Arabs, like him very much. We pinned our hopes that he will lead us to peace, and we are worried like everyone else in Israel,” he added.
Kirnawi had been linked to Sharon’s Kadima party but the apparent incapacitation of the 77-year-old leader in a massive stroke leaves all options open for the mayor of Israel’s largest Bedouin town.
“I still haven’t decided whether to join. I wanted to run on a Kadima ticket only because of the prime minister. Sharon is a good man, caring, and interested in pressing ahead with plans out of conviction. Until 2001 I fought him and the Likud and was not ready to concede, yet since his election as prime minister he underwent dramatic changes,” Kirnawi said.
‘The left are only good at speaking’
Sheikh Darwish also pointed to a dramatic shift in Sharon’s ideological convictions: His military background is well documented. He is remembered by the Palestinians for the Sabra and Shatila massacres. He changed his way when he understood that occupation endangers his people and his country. He understood that a war that doesn’t lead to an agreement is a crime.
“As general Rabin changed his way, general Sharon reached the same conclusion, and I appreciate every leader who acts this way. I appreciate his courage to change and realize that only peace is a guarantee to Israel’s security. He said there is a need for a Palestinian state and in this respect was a pioneer in Israeli history. Although he implemented a unilateral operation, I believe he would have sought negotiations with (PA Chairman) Mahmoud Abbas.”
‘His condition doesn’t wipe off his past’
Unlike the Palestinians, Israel’s Arab citizens did not go to the streets to celebrate Sharon’s bad health, but many feel resentment to ailing prime minister. “We do not wish bad things for any man, yet for someone who caused so much evil to his people, we are not crying and do not want him to return to his serve as prime minister,” Sheikh Kamal Khatib, the deputy head of the Islamic Movement’s northern branch said.
“Sharon is not a usual man. He left behind a school for retaliation against his people, and I believe that his students will follow in his path. Even the withdrawal from Gaza was a unilateral step that he engineered. I wouldn’t want him to resume office,” he added.
As put by Abir Khoutbi, spokeswoman for Mossawa, The Advocacy Center for Arab Citizens of Israel, “Sharon’s image has not changed in my view. We cannot forget his past, and his critical condition doesn’t wipe off his deeds. He has a history of enmity and he left no room for consensus or respect. With no connection to his condition, I wouldn’t want him to be prime minister.”
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