Olmert said in his speech, “There is discrimination in Israel against the Arab population. Most of it is unintentional, but it has a strong impact and we must tell the Israeli public that Israeli Arabs are citizens with equal rights in every sense of the word. There must be change.

“The responsibility first and foremost rests with the Israeli government and state institutions, but any social change cannot rest on the authorities alone. The Arab public and the Jewish majority also have a major role to play in change.”

Olmert said that he had instructed the director of his office to draft far-reaching plans for the development of areas like the economy, education, and local government. “I sincerely hope that you have felt the beginning of a new spirit,” he said. “Trying to advance the economy of the Arab sector apart from the Israeli economy will not work. The cornerstone of a new policy must be to change the existing system.” Olmert said that the slogan that should guide this policy should be “One country, one economy.”

“We’re Palestinians and citizens as well”

The Prime Minister added, “Government policy should strive for integration and equality and lead to full partnership. The constitutional system that is being drafted in the Knesset must recognize the right of the citizen and the collective to preserve their religion and culture.”

Shawqi al-Khatib, the head of the Higher Arab Follow-Up Committee, said that Israeli Arabs belong in the broad sense to the general public and in a narrower sense to the Palestinian people, but they are, in the end, citizens.

“The time for crying is over,” al-Khatib said. “I expect this day to give rise to a plan that has a specific beginning and a defined objective, so that one day we will know that we forged together a different future for our children and grandchildren. We have no choice but to plan for this future together.”

Ministers pledge to achieve equality

Minister of Science, Culture, and Sport Raleb Majadele said in his speech that it is in the Arab public’s interest that the Knesset not be dissolved. “Those who want to dissolve this partnership—this is their problem,” he said. “We will always find a way to guarantee equality for the Arab population.”

Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit said during the conference that in two weeks he will present the cabinet with a resolution regarding the establishment of a new Arab city in the Galilee. He also spoke of the need to build youth and sport centers in every Arab town.

Minister of Education Yuli Tamir announced the formation of a committee to draft what she called a policy for a shared life between Jews and Arabs. She said the committee would be co-chaired by an Arab and a Jew.

Reader responses to the article

You’re speaking crap! Arabs are the enemy of Jews, and that’s a fact—Moti.

Israeli Arabs are a strategic threat to Israel, but you’re even worse!—Ishmael.

To Olmert and Sheetrit: maybe if you moved to Tiba, for example, we’ll see how you do there and what kind of love you get—A.

That’s very true. They aren’t a strategic threat. They’re a tactical threat!—A.

Finally a Prime Minister who realizes that the problem is not the Arabs, but the settlers—Natan S., Maalot.

Source: www.nrg.co.il

Israeli Comments

July 10, 2008

By: Itamar Inbari