Knesset Member Wasil Taha
Photo: Hagai Aharon
MK Taha visits Syria: Right of return must be guaranteed
Investigation, criticism following previous Syria trip don't deter Knesset member from revisiting. MK Taha discusses importance of Right of Return
Knesset Member Wasil Taha (National Democratic Assembly) visited Syria
this week for the second time this year.
The last time he visited the country along with other members of his party including the party's Chairman MK Azmi Bishara, an investigation took place which apparently did nothing to deter Taha from revisiting Damascus.
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During his recent visit to Syria, MK Taha discussed the importance of a commitment to the Right of Return.
According to the Israeli-Arab website Arab48, he was invited to participate in "Right of Return and World Opinion", a conference organized by the Palestinian committee for the Right of Return. Taha returned to Israel at the beginning of the week following a few days in Damascus.
Aware of the harsh criticism Arab Knesset members face for visiting Arab countries which do not have relations with Israel, Taha said, "These visits are meant to deepen the relationship between us and our people, Palestinians in Arab countries, as well as to strengthen the bond between us and our Arab nation which we see as a central factor in the strength of our identity and our national belonging."
In his opening speech at the conference, Taha emphasized that any true diplomatic agreement was contingent on a guaranteed Right of Return. He even called on the relevant committees to coordinate their actions under a united diplomatic and explanatory plan.
'Visit not criminal, but political'
Outside of the conference, Taha also met with Syrian Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Abrash, as well as other Syrian parliament members who expressed sympathy to his call for "strengthening the bond with Palestinian citizens in Israel outside the frame of official normalization".During his talks with al-Abrash, Taha pointed out the important role Arab parliament members played in reinforcing the struggle of the Palestinian people. The two agreed to call on all parliament members to strengthen their ties with Israeli-Arab officials on all levels.
Also, Taha met with founder of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine George Habash. Habash congratulated Taha on his visit to Syria, and received detailed explanations on the diplomatic situation in the area.
Taha also discussed the internal Palestinian negotiations that were taking place and emphasized the need to work towards national unity and agreement and said that "Palestinian blood is the line" that should not be crossed.
Regarding the investigation following his previous trip to Syria, Taha said, "Instead of taking advantage of our status and relationship with a country that Israel is at war with, we are investigated." According to him, the visits were not criminal, but political.
