Arab MKs participate in Naksa Day demonstrations

Tibi: "Events will continue to expand as long as there is no agreement"; Eldad: May there be more Israeli victories for them to mourn.

By LAHAV HARKOV
protester kalandiya_311 reuters (photo credit: Mohamad Torokman/Reuters)
protester kalandiya_311 reuters
(photo credit: Mohamad Torokman/Reuters)
Arab Knesset members actively participated in Naksa Day demonstrations on Sunday, much to the consternation of right-wing MKs.
MK Ahmed Tibi (UAL-Ta’al) said that he joined the rally for a Palestinian state in Tel Aviv on Saturday night, and another one Sunday at “Nablus Gate in Al-Quds” on the anniversary of the Palestinian “Naksa,” or “setback” in the 1967 Six Day War.
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“For 44 years, we haven’t forgotten the desire and the aspiration of the Palestinian people to break free of the occupation,” Tibi said. “These events express the will of the people, and they will continue to expand as long as there is no agreement.”
Tibi added: “Whoever refuses to negotiate on ‘67 lines, will have to discuss ‘48 borders. You can’t say you want two states, but really want one state,” he said in reference to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.
The UAL-Ta’al MK also said that Majdal Shams and Kuneitra are “occupied Syrian land,” and therefore Syrians crossing into those towns are not crossing international borders.
“Syrian citizens have the right to try to return,” Tibi said, adding that “the prime minister gave an order for mass murder. So what if they cross [into Israel]? They did that a few weeks ago, and nothing happened. Why kill people?”
Other Arab MKs, including Jamal Zahalka and Haneen Zoabi of Balad, participated in demonstrations through the country.
MK Aryeh Eldad (National Union) said that Arab MKs’ participation in Naksa Day rallies are “further proof that they identify with all their hearts with Israel’s enemies, who were defeated on this day.
“I hope that they will have many more days like today, in which they mourn the Arab fall, and that they will have the privilege of seeing with their own eyes many more Israeli victories,” Eldad added.