Arab MK: Voting for Zionist parties disgraceful
Azmi Bishara attacks what he refers to as ‘attempts by Zionist parties to steal votes from Arab sector,’ criticizes those willing to accept mere discussion on voting for Zionist parties. Arab MK also criticized Jewish MKs for ‘handing out grades’ to Arab counterpart; ‘this constitutes internal colonialism of the worst kind,’ he says
Arab Knesset Member Azmi Bishara (National Democratic Assembly) on Saturday attacked what he referred to as “attempts by Zionist parties to steal votes from the Arab sector” and criticized those willing to accept the mere discussion on voting for Zionist parties.
Speaking at a National Democratic Assembly meeting in Shfaram, convened to determine the party’s list of candidates ahead of the March general elections, Bishara said, “It’s a disgrace that the issue of voting for Zionist parties is discussed in this manner.”
Bishara, who was voted during the meeting to head his party’s list, went on to criticize Jewish MKs for “handing out grades” to Arab parliament members.
“This constitutes internal colonialism of the worst kind. Neither the Jewish MKs nor the various Middle East experts can hand us grades. The discussion on our activity is reserved for the Arab public,” he said.
'Our party will gain 4 Knesset seats'
Bishara called on the Arab media to ignore comments made by Jewish MKs regarding the activity of their Arab counterparts.
“We are a political party, and as such we will intervene in major political and diplomatic issues,” he said.
While recent polls indicate that the National Democratic Assembly may not gain a single Knesset seat in the elections, Bishara claims to be in possession of polls that show his party is expected to win four Knesset seats come March, adding that the party would be willing to sacrifice itself in order to form a united Arab party.
