Arabs should leave Israel, says Livni Mohammed Mar'i | Arab News

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Friday 12 December 2008 (14 Dhul Hijjah 1429)


Arabs should leave Israel, says Livni
Mohammed Mar'i | Arab News —


RAMALLAH: Israeli Foreign Minister and leader of ruling Kadima party, Tzipi Livni yesterday said that Arab Palestinians should leave Israel for a Palestinian state once such a state is established. This call is viewed as a new Israeli move to confiscate Arab lands.

Speaking to high school students in Tel Aviv, Livni said, "My solution for maintaining a Jewish and democratic state of Israel is to have two nation-states with certain concessions and with clear red lines."

"And among other things I will also be able to approach the Palestinian residents of Israel, those whom we call Israeli Arabs, and tell them, 'your national solution lies elsewhere,'" the Israeli Radio quoted her as saying.

In response to Livni's comments, the Arab member of Israeli Cabinet Ghaleb Majadeleh said, "The roots of the Arab citizens of Israel were planted before the state was established. They are residents of this country with rights; their residency and citizenship are not open for negotiation."

The Arab Member of Israeli Knesset of Balad party, Ahmed Tibi, called on Livni to clarify her position on Arabs. "Livni is again speaking in (opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu) Bibi's voice... She must decide whether she means to leave a million Arabs without political rights or a national identity, or what she really intends is to transfer a million Arab citizens to the new state that will be established," he said.

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