ADL rejects MK Eitam’s call to oust Arab legislators
Anti-Defamation League says regarding right-wing MK’s statement saying Arab-Israeli parliamentarians are ‘traitors’ that ‘Eitam’s remarks do nothing to further Israel’s quest to live peacefully among its neighbors and are an insult to its loyal Arab Israeli citizens’
MK Eitam, of the National Union-National Religious Party, also called for expelling most Arabs from the territories.
The ADL Israel Office said in a statement, “Calls by public figures to ban minorities and expel them from their homes are abhorrent. These are irresponsible statements advocating collective measures that the ADL totally rejects.
“We urge legislators to publicly and forcefully defend the human and civil rights of all Israeli citizens regardless of their ethnic or religious identity. As an Israeli political leader whose statements are carried far beyond the confines of the audience he was speaking to, we urge MK Eitam to consider the impact of his words both at home and abroad.”
'Statements perpetuate stereotypes'
According to the ADL, “Eitam’s remarks do nothing to further Israel’s quest to live peacefully among its neighbors and are an insult to its loyal Arab Israeli citizens.
Furthermore, these sorts of statements also serve to perpetuate stereotypes and hateful images of the Palestinians. ADL rejects the notion of transfer of any people from their homes and homeland.
“We applaud the many loud public voices that have spoken out against such negative and counterproductive comments. We would also hope that Israeli Arab leaders would speak out against those who engage in extremist rhetoric within the Israeli-Arab community.”
