Tibi. To talk to Americans
Photo: Ronen Boidek
Carter. Last meeting in Israel
Photo: AP
Tibi: Carter suggested we tell Americans about discrimination
MK to present cases of Israeli discrimination against Arab sector in America's major media outlets following advice from former US president. 'Carter said that the American public was unaware of the situation,' he tells Ynet
Advice from former president. Knesset Member Ahmad Tibi (United Arab List-Ta'al)
plans to turn to the United States' major media outlets in order to present the situation of the Arab population in Israel
to the American public.
Carter and Tibi met at a Jerusalem hotel, and one of the issues they discussed was what the MK described as the Israeli discrimination against the Arab sector.
Tibi decided to take this move following advice he received during a meeting with former US President Jimmy Carter on Monday. The conversation between the two concluded Carter's series of meetings in Israel.
Carter:
News agencies
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"Carter said that the American public was unaware of the situation, and suggested that I work to make the matter known among the global public opinion," Tibi told Ynet.
He added that during the meeting Carter asked him what it was like being an Arab Knesset member in Israel. "I replied that it was not easy being an Arab citizen in the State of Israel, and all the more so being an MK.
Tibi and Carter in Jerusalem (Photo: Ni Keidar)
"Carter was silent and then said once again that these things should be made public, suggesting that I turn to the major media outlets in the United States, like the New York Times. I definitely plan to take his advice and do so.
"I told him that there were 900 employees in Israel's central bank, and I asked him and his assistants if they had any idea how many of these workers were Arabs. Carter was silent for a moment and then asked, 'How many?' I signaled with my hand the number zero. Carter said, 'Wow, I can't believe it.'"
'Hamas part of Palestinian mosaic'
The former US president told the MK about his meetings in the region with Hamas politburo chief Khaled Mashaal, Syrian President Bashar Assad and other Arab leaders.
"He said that the talks with Hamas were positive and serious and would continue in the future as well, and added that they agree to the establishment of a state in the 1967 borders and will hold a referendum on any agreement signed between Abu Mazen (Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas) and Israel.
"Carter added that he views these meetings as extremely important and believes that Hamas is part of the Palestinian mosaic and therefore must be included in the talks," Tibi said.
