MK Zahalka
Photo: Gil Yohanan
MK Taha
Photo:Hagai Aharon
2 Arab MKs visit Damascus
Delegation comprised of current, former MKs from National Democratic Assembly visit Syria, meet with Syrian leaders to discuss state of Middle East
Members of Knesset Jamal Zahalka and Wasil Taha, of the National Democratic Assembly, arrived Thursday for a visit to Damascus. The delegation, also comprised of former MKs Mohammad Knaan and Mihammad Miyaari, will meet with leaders in the Syrian government, members of Parliament, authors and spiritual leaders.
This is the first meeting in Syria for members of the party in five years. According to the delegation, the visit is intended to discuss the state of the region, particularly following "the war of aggression against Lebanon and pursuant to threats of a second round of war."
Members of the delegation emphasized the need for a just peace in the region and the prevention of additional wars. Likewise, they explained that they came to Damascus to manifest their right to maintain contact with Arab populations and the Arab people.
The visit to Syria was meant to take place two months ago, but was postponed because of the war in Lebanon. Upon their arrival, members of the delegation stated that "particularly, now, after it has become clear to everyone that the policy of force has failed yet again and that unilateral moves have collapsed and disappeared, we must draw the conclusion that Israel has to adopt an approach of dialogue and negotiation and respond positively to Arab peace initiatives in order to arrive at a just peace that is comprehensive and sustainable."
At the start of their visit, the delegation expressed empathy for the suffering of the Lebanese people, and emphasized that residents of Lebanon and Israel are victims of a policy of force. For this reason a sustainable and durable peace is in the interest of all nations in the region, including Israel, they said.
