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Tibi. An independent guest
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Tibi: Assad boycotted Olmert, but shook my hand

Arab MK continues to anger Israeli diplomats who run into him at Paris conference: 'It is unthinkable that he walks around with the Palestinian delegation.' Tibi in response: I'm here as an independent guest

PARIS - Three months after Knesset Member Ahmad Tibi (United Arab List-Ta'al) took part in a conference in Qatar as a Palestinian representative, he once against angered Israeli diplomats who spotted him walking around with members of the Arab delegation to the Union of the Mediterranean conference in Paris.

 

This time as well, Tibi was not registered at the conference as an Israeli representative. He told Ynet in response that "(Syria President Bashar) Assad boycotted (Prime Minister Ehud) Olmert, but he shook the hand of Ahmad Tibi in Paris."

 

Tibi's presence at the convention, which was attended by more than 40 leaders and dozens of foreign ministers, angered the Israeli leaders taking part in the event.

 

A senior source in the Israeli delegation said, "It is unthinkable that an Israeli Knesset member appears here and walks around with the Palestinian delegation and other Arab delegation. He should decide who he is representing."

 

A senior diplomatic source who ran into Tibi in the corridor said, "I have no idea who this man is serving, why he walks in and out and brings different officials to the Palestinian delegation. Is someone paying him? What is he getting in return? He is an Israeli MK working for the Palestinians. This is an awful thing in my opinion."

 

The Knesset recently adopted a law banning MKs from working for Arab elements.


Olmert at Paris conference. On the left (covering his head): Assad (Photo: Reuters)

 

Tibi himself was surprised by the criticism. "I am here as an independent guest of the conference, who was invited by the French authorities. I view this as an honor.

 

"I am here with writers, parliament members from other countries and intellectuals who have not been invited as part of a delegation. This is what my badge says, an independent member. I am sick and tired of people saying I am a member of delegations. I am not a member of the Palestinian delegation."

 

He said he has been meeting with representatives of multiple delegations. "I met with the Palestinian delegation, I met with the Lebanese, I met with the Qatari representatives, I met with Gordon Brown of Britain, with Miguel Moratinos of Spain, with Mark Ott of the European Union."

 

Tibi stressed that he plans to continue meeting with the Arab representatives at the conference. "I'm meeting with the Palestinians tonight, I will meet with them tomorrow as well, and I will continue to meet with them.

 

"My acts will not be censored. I won't have anyone to fault me because of this. We won't let those who want to narrow our moves and say that I am a member of the Palestinian delegation to do so. I am independent and I am here as the chairman of United Arab List-Ta'al in the Knesset," he said.

 

Tibi also criticized the media. "Three months ago, Ynet reported that I took part in the Doha conference. You are inciting the public against me, even though the (Knesset's) Ethics Committee found nothing wrong with my behavior," he said.

 


פרסום ראשון: 07.13.08, 21:55
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