MK's Livni and Herzog meet with Arab leaders to open dialoge in emergency meeting.
Photo: Daniel Harush
Livni, Herzog conduct emergency meeting with Arab leaders to 'open dialogue'
Center-left faction leaders meet with Arab leaders, criticize Netanyahu and other leaders for making inciteful statements for political gain.
Justice Minister Tzipi Livni and Opposition Chairman Isaac Herzog held an emergency meeting on Wednesday with the leaders of Arab communities in Israel, in which the Arab leaders expressed their concerns and explored ways to restore order.
MK Herzog said during the meeting, "I have sharp criticism of statements that have been made recently on everything related to relations between Jews and Arabs in Israel, even remarks made by the prime minister, but our goal as responsible leadership is to lead together to enable calm and live side by side using through open dialogue. We are here calling and working to calm the spirits as a national responsibility that goes beyond the political system."
MK's Herzog (left) and Livni (right) meet with Mazen Gnaim and other Arab leaders to discuss the recent rise in violence on Wednesday. (Photo: Daniel Harush)
MK Livni said, "We cannot understand it if we do not open a dialogue. There is a danger that this conflict will catch religious elements from both sides. Another danger is that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has entered into Israeli territory and is affecting the relationship between Arabs and Jews in Israel and therefore it is important to calm the spirits."
According to Livni, politicians from both sides are taking advantage of the escalation for political gains.
Livni added that her office will use all means possible to restore quiet to the streets.
Mazen Gnaim, head of the High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel, thanked Livni and Herzog for the meeting, but also criticized Netanyahu.
"Statements made by the prime minister and other ministers in the past few days enflame the spirits in the Arab street and they must be stopped and calm must be restored, Gnaim said.
