PLO official: Palestinians, Israelis must be totally separated
Commenting on the subject of minority rights in the potential Palestinian state, PLO envoy to the U.S. says past experience shows the two people should be 'totally separated.'
By Haaretz Tags: Middle East peace Palestinian stateThe future independent Palestinian state will not include a Jewish minority, a top Palestinian official told USA Today on Wednesday, adding that it was in the best interest of both peoples to "be separated."
Maen Areikat, PLO Ambassador to the United States, made the comment just as the Palestinian Authority, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, was preparing to offer up Palestinian statehood to a vote in the United Nations General Assembly later this month.
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The West Bank settlement of Ariel |
| Photo by: AP |
Answering a question about the legal status of a Jewish minority in the future state, Areikat apprently rejected the issue, saying: "I believe, I still believe that as a first step we need to be totally separated," adding "I think we can contemplate these issues in the future."
"After the experience of the last 44 years, of military occupation and all the conflict and friction, I think it will be in the best interest that the two peoples should be separated," Areikat added.
Former U.S. National Security Council official Elliot Abrams responded to the Palestinian official's comment, saying to USA Today that the Palestinian demand was "a despicable form of anti-Semitism," adding: "No civilized country would act this way."
The administration of U.S. President Barack Obama had been openly opposing the planned Palestinian statehood bid at the United Nations, arguing that a unilateral recognition of Palestinian independence would severely injure attempts at a comprehensive peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians.
Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, Obama indicated that Washington did not feel "think that it would actually lead to the outcome that we want, which is a two-state solution."
Last week, the State Department said the U.S. would veto a resolution for Palestinian statehood in the council, but Obama had yet to comment directly on the matter.
"What we've said is that going to the UN is a distraction, does not solve the problem," he said. "This issue is only going to be resolved by Israelis and Palestinians agreeing to something."
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Just read the political treaties of Likud, Beiteneu etc
I find this to be a disgusting, racist statement. Palestinians, after suffering for 60 years should welcome anyone that wants to live with them. They should not sink to the level of zionist "we are the chosen" people level.
There's already a Palestinian State called Jordan, why don't they go there and be part of that State? Save us all the trouble.
This is as bad as what Lieberman proposes. But it may be the only way to keep out Israeli troops. And maybe later that can allow immigration by non-Israeli Jews.
Some all of Israel can be Muslim free? Sounds like a very fair trade-off.
Once we de-Jew the WB, Israel can then claim the right of return is not possible since the two people "need to be separated" and can start moving the 1.3 millions non-Jews from Israel to the WB for the same reason.
So when are the Arabs leaving Israel?
official doctrine since 1947
1. THey deny palestinians a state 2. They demand to live there.
If that's what they want, then that's what they want!
Use the veto and lose all influence in the ME. Regional powerhouses Turkey and Iran are also salivating at the prospect. But do carry on. Kinda like a dare that recommendation is.
israel propose transfer of palestinians out of israel so whats the deal?!
There's already a Palestinian State called Jordan, why don't they go there and be part of that State? Save us all the trouble.
in accordance with UN Resolution 242. Salaam/Shalom
I presume then they'll be happy to absorb the 1.5m Israeli Arabs living in Israel? Will the Israeli Arabs then lose their citizenship and rights and important positions (even in Knesset) as we all need to be kept separate?
Jordan
What do you want?
Are they going to ethnic cleanse the area?
we cant let israeli jew and palestinian muslim together incase of race war, its no surprise both groups dislike each other, so why force them together. when europe becomes more muslim, maybe palestinians can finally move on from gaza.
If the State of Palestine is to be Judenrein, i.e., free of Jews, then by the same token, shouldn't the State of Israel be Arabenrein, i.e. free of Arabs? Would Arekatr be willing to agree to an exchange of populations, their Jews for our Arabs? Doesn't that sound racist? Well, doesn't Arekat sound racist?
If I were Abbas, this guy gets fired immediately.
Palestine will be the only country in the world where Jews, by policy, are not allowed to live. This is a sham of a country
It's Saudi Arabia
and it is all they will ever get...
but if israel says the 2 sides should be separated, the whole world jumps up and down crying racism....but not so if the pals say it! man is this peace process useless!
NO it is apartheid to the extreme
He got the job because of the corruption. Saeb is behind him. The PA will never be able to run a State as long as these idiots are there.
What would the advocates of the human rights say if an israeli official spoke of an Israel free of Arabs?
Quite unbelievable: (1) Palestinians want the creation of their own state and (2) insist for the Law of Return for Palestinians on Israeli soil. This has nothing to do about the creation of a Palestinian state; rather it is the beginning of the process of the eventual destruction of Israel. History lesson: remember what happened to Joseph's Tomb?
Like the French turned on collaborators when they were liberated in 1944, settlers after all the restrictions and oppression their presence has inflicted on Palestine, will not be hugely popular. But obviosuly all civilians should be protected unless they have committed crimes. How you deal with people who have knowingly settled land in contravention of international law, though, is a difficult one and will need to be specified in the peace agreement. Eliot Abrams distortion of the truth is despicable.
the PLO gives the last word about anything related to the palestinians. Abu Maze need to follow what the PLO asks him to do. In fact, is there is something that both PA and Hamas agree, is that the PLO have the real power in Palestine. You can claim about the occupation and such, but once backing this decision of the PLO, you backing what you bash so intenselly.
I guess that means the 1.5 million Arabs within the green line will be absorbed by the new Palestinian state? The world and even the left is waking up to Arab kypocrasy... Soon only the die hard knee jerk anti semetic radicals are all the arabs will have as allies in the west... No one takes them seriously anyways
No Arab 'refugees' should returm to Israel. If the state of Palestine cannot contend with minorities, is this 'nation' sufficiently mature to sustain itself - or just another failed state?
(Elliot Abrams responded to the Palestinian official's comment, saying to USA Today that the Palestinian demand was "a despicable form of anti-Semitism," adding: "No civilized country would act this way." ) Why does that clown insists on putting his foot in his mouth? With his logic, then the state of Israel has been anit-semetic (since Arabs are also semetic people) for the last 41 years.
Vice versa means this that the issue of the so-called Palestinian refugees is resolved (since the two people have to be separated, they can't go to Israel) and that the prosperous caliphate of Palestine will take in all of Israel's Arabs.
We should not tolerate Arab apartheid hopes and beliefs here in OUR land.
israel refuse 1state democratic state so obviously people most live in 2 separate states. Thats what israel thinks too.
In that case, Israel should expel all Muslims to the future Palestinian State. Is that what you want?
I agree with you. As a Palestinian, I would not mind having a Jewish neighbor at all. You said and I am quoting: "a despicable form of anti-Semitism," adding: "No civilized country would act this way." How would you justify Israel’s demand to be a Jewish state? Would that be considered a anti-Semitism, even though we are both Semite!!!
First Walid...Israel has Arabs as Israeli citizens and even representation in Parliament. they receive benefits and all that Israel has to offer ...including free speech. I'm glad you feel that you won't have a problem with having a Jewish neighbor by the way so long as you don't have a problem with negating the right of return...can't have it both ways...
What does this Jew think about all those ever expanding illegal settlements on Palestinian land that are for Jews only. What goes around comes around. Take that anti-Semitic garbage and stick it.
Living a better life than in any Arab country. Just ask your brothers in Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Iraq...........
I assume the Jewish state will be free of arabs then, right?
To funny
"PLO envoy to the U.S. says past experience shows the two people should 'be separated.'"
So why do you have a problem recognizing Israel as the Jewish state that it already is?
Any leftist objecting Palestine should be the "Palestinian state" - No. Any leftist objecting this statement the Palestine should be judenrein - No. Any leftist objected Hamas right to kill settlers in Gaza should Israel avoided deporting them - No. But all leftist object the Israeli national hymn referring to Jews, the flag containing a Jewish emblem, the day of rest Shabat following Judaism, this is what leftists mean when they say "Israel should not be a Jewish state".
We get the drift.
There is no need to separate - there will be no more radical jews, just peaceful ones - as the crazies will leave or there will be no IDF protection for their violence - laws based on the PA or whatever people decide, Islam even, must be followed by all, just as in Israel where Jewish laws are followed, no pork on Sabbath, etc.
hahaha thats a good one
Where jewish laws are followed by the israeli arab population? Just invented it?
Israel is home to 1.5 million Arabs, 20% of its population, represented in the Knesset and leading a better, peaceful life than anywhere else in the Arab world.
Yet the leftists in the west love them some islamists.
What does one sound racist and the other doesn't?
But since it's Palestinians who declare their state Judenrein, like Nazis did, you spin it as an advance towards peace. Shame on your cynicism.