[ynet] Eitam: Expel Palestinians, dismiss Arab MKs

Eitam: Expel Palestinians, dismiss Arab MKs

During memorial ceremony for officer killed in Lebanon, right-wing MK says, 'we cannot be with all these Arabs, we'll have to expel the overwhelming majority of West Bank Arabs from here and remove Israeli Arabs from political system.' Tibi: In German it would have sounded more authentic

Arab Knesset members responded harshly Monday to the remarks of Knesset Member Effie Eitam (National Union-National Religious Party) both against Israeli Arabs and the Palestinians, saying that "the truth has been revealed."

On Sunday, during a memorial service for First Lieutenant Amihai Merhavia, who was recently killed in Lebanon, Eitam presented the State of Israel 's urgent missions, as he sees them.

"We will have to do three things: Expel most of the Judea and Samaria Arabs from here. We cannot be with all these Arabs and we cannot give up the land, because we have already seen what they do there. Some of them may be able to stay under certain conditions, but most of them will have to go," he said.

"We will have to make another decision, to remove the Israeli Arabs from the political system. Also here things are clear and simple: We have raised a fifth column, a group of traitors of the first degree, and therefore we cannot continue to approve such a hostile and great presence inside Israel's political system.

"The third thing: We will have to act differently than everything we have known so far opposite the Iranian threat. These are three things that will entail a change in our war ethics."

On Sunday, before leaving for a series of meetings and fundraising in the United States, Eitam told Ynet that he had turned to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Opposition Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu, calling on them to establish a national emergency government.

According to Eitam, in light of the threats on Israel, there is no other option but to establish such a government, with basic principles which do not refer to the realignment plan or to a withdrawal from the Golan Heights, and which will work to prepare Israel against the Iranian threat.

Eitam added that for the first time in his life he is terrified over the State's fate. He went on to say that he feels "ashamed" that his generation failed to produce honorable leaders, who can lead and deal with the challenges involved in running the State.

"All the last prime ministers of my generation have failed. Therefore, there is no other option but to jointly lead the country in an emergency government, which will be established for two years and provide an immediate answer to the urgent problems," he said.

'Launch a criminal investigation'

In response to the remarks, which were broadcast on Army Radio, MK Ahmad Tibi (United Arab List-Ta'al) said: "If Eitam's remarks would have been said in German, they would have been more authentic."

Hadash Chairman Mohammad Barakeh demanded to launch a criminal investigation against Eitam: "What is happening to Eitam – he is in fact inciting. The overall attack against the members of the factions representing the Arab public is an attempt for delegitimization of this public in the political arena, in order to prevent it from expressing its opinions and demanding its rights."

MK Avshalom Vilan (Meretz-Yahad) already turned to the attorney general, while Peace Now said in a statement: "The remarks prove that the Kahane doctrine is alive and breathing. At a moment of frankness, Eitam removed the mask and is portrayed as a racist and hallucinatory leader."

Right-wing activist Baruch Marzel said: "We are happy that Eitam has also become sober. We have always said that the difference between Rabbi Kahane and Gush Emunim is 10 years. Indeed, what Rabbi Kahane said 10 years ago is now being said by Effie Eitam and his friends. Good morning, Israel."

Eitam's remarks came after the Arab MKs's visit to Damascus stirred a row among the Israeli public, in light of the possibility that they may be put on trial. MK Azmi Bishara, who warned the Syrians that "Israel may attack," said in an interview with the London-based al-Hayat newspaper that he is ready to pay the price for his acts.