Arab MKs call for Palestinian unity in light of Gaza crisis
Israeli Arab leaders convene emergency meeting to discuss escalation in Gaza, condemn Israel and call for unity among Palestinian factions. Mass rally planned for Tuesday in Umm al-Fahm
The Israeli Arab Higher Monitoring Committee convened for an emergency meeting Sunday to discuss the escalating violence between Israel and the Palestinians in Gaza.
The committee decided to draft a proposal for national unity between Hamas and Fatah in light of the situation, and plans to hold a mass rally in Umm al-Fahm Tuesday in protest of the operation in the Strip.
Most of the Israeli Arab MKs attended the meeting, and stressed the importance of unity among the Palestinian factions in light of the fighting.
"Israel is using the rift between the Palestinian factions to continue the military operations and torpedo the peace process," Said Committee head Shawki Khatib.
"Only through true Palestinian unity can the Palestinians deal with the Israeli offensive. Our mission, as part of the Palestinian people… is to help our brothers deal with these existential challenges."
Arab world slammed for keeping silent
MK Jamal Zahalka claimed that "an offensive on Gaza is an offensive on the entire Palestinian Authority, with everything that this entails." Both Zahalka and MK Talab el-Sana (United Arab List-Ta'al) condemned Fatah officials for saying that Hamas was responsible for the escalation in the Strip.
El-Sana's party member MK Ibrahim Sarsour criticized the lack of support for Gaza's plight in the Arab world. "Israel has been committing war crimes for 60 years, and the pain caused by the bloodshed is coupled by the silence of the Arab world."
