Arabs Don´t Object to Trading Areas
12:13 Jan 12, '07 / 22 Tevet 5767
by Hillel Fendel
Minister Avigdor Lieberman says the Arabs agree tacitly to trade Arab-populated areas inside Israel for Jewish-populated ones in Judea and Samaria. Israeli-Arabs are not included in this consensus.
Avigdor Lieberman, who led his right-wing party into the center-left government of Ehud Olmert two months ago, continues to adhere to the "transfer" plan that has earned him infamy among some of his fellow ministers.
In a joint interview with Shalom Toronto and Arutz-7's Uzi Baruch and Ruti Avraham, Lieberman said, "An exchange of territories and populations has 'silent consent' of the Palestinians as well. They won't express it publicly, but we have heard no objections from their end; no one has expressed objections. They will certainly give silent agreement."
Up for grabs to be included in the Palestinian Authority, according to Lieberman's plan, would be the Israeli-Arab city Um el-Fahm (population 42,000) and neighboring villages in Wadi Ara and the Galilee Triangle. They lie in an area bordering the northern Shomron. In addition, some 170,000 Arabs in the greater Jerusalem area would be included in the Palestinian Authority.
In exchange, large Jewish "settlement blocs" in Judea and Samaria, "such as Ariel, Maaleh Adumim, Gush Etzion, and others," would come under full Israeli sovereignty.
He admitted that the Israeli-Arab public does not like the idea, "and therefore there must be an international agreement to this effect."
Lieberman faced criticism from the nationalist-camp parties for joining the government instead of joining with them to form a large right-wing opposition bloc. However, he defended his decision by saying, "The next military clash is inevitable and I would like to help prepare the country for it as best I can."
Explaining what his position as Minister of Strategic Affairs entails, Lieberman said it is to "analyze the data and the players, and come to conclusions... The security services are happy to finally have someone on the governmental level they can work with consistently. After all, how much time can a Prime Minister devote to this, when he has to worry about coalition crises, internal political problems and budget issues?"
Iran
The chief issue he faces is the Iranian nuclear program. "Israel is doing everything it should be," he said. "But it must primarily explain to the world that this is not only an Israeli problem, but a world problem. We have seen Iran's involvement in Iraq and Lebanon, and threats on American and French interests. No one can fool himself. We must exhaust all the diplomatic means and try to enlist the international community. In my opinion, if harsh sanctions are emplaced by the whole world, we can stop the Iranians."
Arab MKs
Lieberman continues to have harsh words against the Arab MKs, though he feels that the Israeli-Arab community is more amenable to living peacefully in the Jewish State. "During the Second Lebanon War, people began to realize that the Israel-Arab leadership is dangerous and works with Israel's enemies. I'm talking about the trips of MKs Barakeh and Tibi to Damascus right in the middle of the war, and their public solidarity with the enemy... Can you imagine if a US Senator went to Afghanistan to show solidarity with Bin Laden, and then return as if nothing happened?"
"Just last week," Lieberman said, "MK Barakeh led a protest against IDF forces at the partition wall, and even called upon the Palestinians, Hamas and Fatah, to unite against the common enemy, Israel."
Fittingly, MK Tibi said just this morning (Friday) on Voice of Israel Radio, "I totally identify with the struggle of the Palestinian nation [sic] against the occupation."
Regarding the decision by Defense Minister Amir Peretz to nominate Arab MK Raleb Majadele as a Cabinet minister, Lieberman said in a separate interview, "I don't have a problem with Majadele as long as does not try to undermine the State. But Peretz should resign for using public tools for the purpose of his personal campaign in Labor." It was widely alleged that Peretz chose Majadele as Science Minister merely to gain support in the party's Arab sector. |
