The Arab sector in Israel is concerned about Lieberman joining the cabinet. Members of the Higher Arab Monitoring Committee of Israel agreed in a meeting in Nazareth Saturday to fight Israel Our Home's addition to the coalition.
Those attending the meeting agreed to hold a demonstration across from the Knesset on Monday In addition, it was agreed that the Arab parties will hold activities in the coming weeks warning against "the danger of adding Lieberman to the cabinet."
Higher Arab Monitoring Committee Chairman Shawki Khatib has spoken out against Lieberman's addition to the coalition in the past few days.
"The inclusion of Avigdor Lieberman to the coalition has a black flag waiving above it. There is no better time 'to celebrate' this foolish act than the 50th anniversary of the massacre in Kfar Kassem. Lieberman's inclusion is a message of ostracization to more than one million citizens of the State.
"The touch of racism and the expulsion of Arabs must be nipped in the bud. The day that Lieberman will be sworn in as a cabinet minister will be a black day for the State of Israel, and it will legitimize racism, fascism, and the expulsion of Arabs, which will be put at the center of Israeli policy.
"This puts all of our futures and democracy in danger. We call all the Members of Knesset to reject this step. We call to all proponents of peace, democracy, and equality, to all those to whom the future of the peoples is important, to stand up and protest in order to prevent this dangerous move," wrote Khatib in an announcement published this weekend.
Ben-Eliezer: State of Israel needs stability
National Infrastructure Minister Binyamin (Fouad) Ben-Eliezer (Labor), who visited a number of Arab towns in the north in honor of Eid al-Fitr, tried to dissipate the Arab's fears.
"I make a promise here, in my name and in the name of entire Labor Party. We have taken care of, are taking care of, and will continue to take care of the welfare and the rights of the Arab public in Israel .Between us and Lieberman there are differences in approach and unfathomable differences of opinion.
"But we must remember that Lieberman is the one who accepted the fundamentals of the government, and not us who have accepted his fundamentals. The Labor Party leaving the coalition would be suicide," said Ben-Eliezer.
The impression given by Ben-Eliezer at the end of his visit is that some of the Arabs, Labor Party members, prefer that the Labor party remain in the cabinet despite the addition of Israel Our Home.
"The Labor Party can help the Arab sector only from within the government. I, as minister of national infrastructure, take care of Arab sector authorities and sewage grants. I see to the development of water systems. And now I ask: Could I do all of that from the opposition?" Ben-Eliezer asked his hosts.
Ben-Eliezer went on to explain why he supports Lieberman's addition to the cabinet.
"The most important thing is that the State of Israel needs stability. We can't drive the citizens of the State crazy. In 58 years of existence, there have 32 administrations. Is this the way to run a country?
"The Labor Party will watch over the coalition fundamentals. The new coalition doesn't erode the party's power. I have heard claims from some of the Arab MKs that those who have taken care of, takes care of, and will take care of the Arab sector is the Labor party, and not some of the Arab MKs running around in Damascus and Beirut," explained Ben-Eliezer.