MK Effie Eitan
Photo: Gil Yohanan
MK Ahmad Tibi
Photo: Hagai Aharon
Eitam sends New Year greeting – Tibi unimpressed
Right-wing MK's wishes cause upset, discomfort at Arab MK's office. 'Hopefully Israel will have less racists and settlers in the coming year,' Tibi's assistant replies
In preparation for the New Year, MK Effie Eitam (National Union-National Religious Party) sent greeting cards to all Knesset members, including Arab Knesset members.
The greeting said, “May we have the privilege to work together, to show love, courage, and modesty. A blessed year to us and to all of Israel.”
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Some were not so pleased to receive the greeting from the MK that just last week called to expel Arabs from the West Bank and from the Knesset. Parliament assistant to MK Ahmad Tibi (United Arab List-Ta'al), Cifa Abd il Halim, sent a letter in response to MK Eitan’s greeting, expressing MK Tibi’s opinion.
The letter said, “We were angry and uncomfortable at receiving your greetings for the New Year. We were more impressed with your racist pearls on expelling Arabs and your call to murder tens of thousands of Arabs in the war.”
“Hopefully Israel will have less racists and settlers in the coming year. In any case, we intend on staying in this country and on this land. And that is a promise,” the letter concluded.
MK Eitam’s office responded to the letter saying, “This crazy competition between Arab Knesset members to sympathize with the enemy, and to condemn and slander Israel, has led to MK Tibi’s pathetic attempts at causing provocations.”
“Perhaps his summons to be investigated like the rest of his friends, the Arab Knesset Members, will silence his urge for publicity,” the letter said.
