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Photo: Hagai Aharon
Shiekh Sarsur – does he want an Islamic Israel?
Photo: Hagai Aharon

Rightists: Disqualify Arab party

Right-wing parties ask for disqualification of United Arab List-Ta'al following scathing anti-Zionist speech by Arab leader. MK Yitzhak Levy: Sheikh Sarsur called for establishment of Muslim rule in Israel, his words constitute genuine danger

Islam speech stirs row: Three right-wing parties petitioned the Central Elections Committee Thursday morning in a bid to disqualify the United Arab List-Ta'al party from running in the upcoming elections.

 

The petitions were submitted in the wake of a harsh anti-Zionist speech by Arab list chairman Sheikh Ibrahim Sarsur, who during a press conference Wednesday said that the rule on earth, or at least the rule in Arab and Muslim lands should be led by the Caliph (Muslim leader and Muhammad's heir.)

 

The party's goal is also to put up a fight in the face of Israelization and Zionization, Sarsur added in his address.

 

Central Elections Committee Deputy Chairman Gideon Sa'ar (Likud) said he petitioned the Committee because "Sarsur's words yesterday regarding the turning of Israel into an Islamic state show him and his list seek to undermine the existence of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state."

 

'Genuine danger to Israel's welfare'

 

National Jewish Front Head Baruch Marzel also asked that the Arab party be disqualified and charged the party rejects Israel's Jewish character and supporters a terror organization, namely Hamas Earlier, National Union-NRP Knesset Member Yitzhak Levy voiced a similar demand.

 

"Sarsur called for the establishment of Muslim rule in the State of Israel," Levy wrote in a letter sent to Judge Dorit Beinish, who heads the Elections Committee. "Later Sarsur slammed the global campaign against Islam and vowed: 'Hamas will lead the Palestinian people to achievements.'"

 

"The sheikh's words, which were uttered openly during a press conference, border on the criminal…and constitute a genuine danger and threat to the welfare of the Israeli public," Levy said.

 

Meanwhile, members of United Arab List-Ta'al said Sarsur did not demand the establishment of an Islamic rule in Israel, but rather, only referred to Islamic rule in Arab and Muslim territories. Sarsur also stressed the party will focus on the demand to recognize Arabs as a national minority through a struggle for civil and political equality, the party said.

 

In his speech, however, Sarsur said the party does not renounce its Islamic doctrine and added "we do not support the separation of religion and State," saying the Muslim world started declining because of this separation after dominating the world for hundreds of years.

 

'Campaign of incitement against Muslims'

 

Arab party members reacted with fury to the petitions against the party's participation in the upcoming elections.

 

"This is part of the campaign of incitement against Muslims and Islam, a campaign that started in Denmark and now continues in Israel," Knesset Member Taleb el-Sana told Ynet. Claiming that his party was undermining the State of Israel's existence is ridiculous, he said.

 

"I'm telling all the racists seeking to disqualify us, take a look at yourselves first. This is a handful of racists who are in distress and want to build their campaign at our expense," he said.

 

Knesset Member Ahmad Tibi, meanwhile, said "requests by the radical Right to disqualify the party are an expression of Islamophobia and a desire to prevent Arab representation in the Knesset."

 

Tibi added his party does not demand the establishment of Islamic rule in Israel.

 

Efrat Weiss contributed to the story

 


פרסום ראשון: 02.16.06, 14:56
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