• Published 00:00 16.02.06
  • Latest update 00:00 16.02.06

United Arab List denies calling for Islamic state in Israel

Likud calls for United Arab List to be disqualified from elections; Likud claims Israeli Arab MKs are supporting an Islamist platform calling for a Muslim regime in Israel.

By Gideon Alon, Yoav Stern and Haaretz Correspondents

Contrary to media reports, the United Arab List-Ta'al platform does not include a call for the establishment of an Islamic state in Israel, MK Ahmed Tibi, the party's campaign headquarters chairman, said Thursday.

Tibi's comments came in the wake of statements attributed to Sheikh Ibrahim Sarsour, leader of the southern branch of the Islamic Movement, who heads the party's list. Sarsour was quoted as calling for the establishment of an Islamic state, but clarified Thursday night that he was not talking about such a state in Israel, in which Muslims do not constitute a majority.

"Our statements were misrepresented," Tibi said Thursday. "We believe in the civic and political equality of the Arab minority in Israel."

Likud calls for United Arab List to be disqualified from electionsLikud has petitioned Central Elections Committee chairwoman Dorit Beinisch to disqualify the United Arab List from participating in March's Knesset elections, claiming the party's leaders reject the existence of Israel as a democratic Jewish state and support the militant Palestinian struggle against Israel.

According to Likud's petition, Sarsour said at a press conference on Tuesday, "the government needs to be Muslim." Likud's petition also claims the United Arab List is contending in Knesset elections with an Islamist platform.

Likud lawyer Avi Weinroth said, "We have before us a clear attempt to undermine the foundations of this state from within."

Tibi said in response, "the far-right's request to disqualify us are expressions of Islamophobia and the will to prevent Arab representation in the Knesset."

Beinisch is expected to bring Likud's request to the Central Elections Committee for debate. All committee decisions must be brought before the High Court of Justice for a final ruling.

In the last Knesset elections, the committee voted to disqualify the Arab party Balad under the leadership of MK Azmi Bashara, but the High Court ruled against this decision.

MK Ahmed Tibi, campaign headquarters chairman for United Arab List-Ta'al. (Archive)

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  • 21. 0 0
  • 20. 0 0
    islamic state or hate's state
    • Naomi
    • 17.02.06
    • 14:01

    He are very crazy! If he wants, keep out of Israel and go to another site and construct a new State of the hate and intolerance, but not in Israel.

  • 19. 0 0
    United Arab List denies calling for Islamic state in Israel
    • Brian Odwyer
    • 17.02.06
    • 07:10

    I become more and more convinced that there are no Israeli Arabs just Arabs who live in Isreal. Why don't you Isrealis smarten up. Brian

  • 18. 0 0
    Well said, Sami! #5
    • GI Yossi
    • 17.02.06
    • 05:46

    Thank you for this voice of reason, Sami! The Islamist threat is not exclusive to the Jews of Christians. The contemporary Arab society is just as much a target, if not more.

  • 17. 0 0
    How Would They Say Yes?
    • Ezer
    • 17.02.06
    • 04:46

    If someone thinks to exterminate all the Jews don't you think they will lie to you too? How would they admit about their real intentions any way? These fifth columnists should never be allowed into the Israeli Knessett.

  • 16. 0 0
    Deportation Law For Sedition
    • Yoram
    • 17.02.06
    • 03:26

    Hasn't the time come for a law that would strip Israeli citizenship for sedition and treason against the state? Dump them in Gaza. Their "brothers" would quickly "liberate" their mercedes and suits from them. The rest would not make a sound after that.

  • 15. 0 0
    United Arab List denies calling for Islamic state in Israel
    • GK
    • 17.02.06
    • 03:01

    I hate to say it but Christian Evangelists seem to be more readily prepared to fight for ISRAEL than some of you Israelis, who think that arabs don?t have an anti-Israeli agenda.

  • 14. 0 0
    danny
    • GK
    • 17.02.06
    • 02:53

    danny is probably still in college, watches bbc and influenced by his left wing professors.

  • 13. 0 0
    Arabs have United List --But What Israelis have ?
    • Sal
    • 17.02.06
    • 02:49

    Israelis and their parties have only discord . Contrary Arab and their united list are clearly united in their plea to eliminate Israel . It does not take genius to see that giving such realities , there is something wrong with policies of Israel --it writes its own end....

  • 12. 0 0
    Raphael
    • Michael
    • 17.02.06
    • 02:17

    Raphael, while I agree that MK Tibi needs to be jailed for incitement against Israel, and the Arab party has got to go, I do not think you help the pro-Israel cause when you use terms like "brothers." Maybe people would actually move to the right in Israel if the right didn't act like extremists and religious nuts. I'm rightwing, but I have learned that you need to tone down the steretypes if you want votes.

  • 11. 0 0
    united arabs mk
    • Raphael gabay
    • 17.02.06
    • 01:16

    Imagine for a second a united jewish list in an arab country calling for a jewish state in that nation.The jew who will make that statement will be cut in pieces is it s a moderate arab nation.If it s a fanatic islamist nation ,people will stand in lign to buy part of him and enjoy his flesh for lunch.My dear brothers,open your eyes.Tibi is no better than any Hamas member.He should be put in jail for such a declaration.

  • 10. 0 0
    Australia has leadership with guts
    • Yonatan
    • 16.02.06
    • 23:49

    What I'd like to hear our leaders say: "Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia, as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks...Prime Minister John Howard...and his ministers made it clear that extremists would face a crackdown. Treasurer Peter Costello hinted that some radical clerics could be asked to leave the country if they did not accept that Australia was a secular state and its laws were made by parliament. "If those are not your values, if you want a country which has Sharia law or a theocratic state, then Australia is not for you," he said on national television. "I'd be saying to clerics who are teaching that there are two laws governing people in Australia, one the Australian law and another the Islamic law, that this is false. If you can'tagree with parliamentary law, independent courts, democracy, and would prefer Sharia law...go to another country..."

  • 9. 0 0
    #2 -absurd? realistic!
    • KT
    • 16.02.06
    • 23:37

    Here in Israel, nationality and religion are synonymous. The land of Israel belongs to the people of Israel, given to us by the G-d of Israel. You want secular? Stay in England. Israel is where we as Jews express ourselves as a people. It is the ONLY place for us to do so.

  • 8. 0 0
    UK would accept not being Prostestant??
    • Alain
    • 16.02.06
    • 23:14

    UK shots citizens if they are risky...and tortures irakies. I don't think english would accept a party linked to Al Qaeda or other who by violent means promise destroying the foundations of the UK (the IRA for example). So, Dany, we are more democratic and risky than your...kingdom (in the XXI century!!)

  • 7. 0 0
    Well said
    • Kim. UP THE WALL
    • 16.02.06
    • 23:01

    Isn't that the people who said the Arabs couldn't vote for the Zionsts? If they are enemies of Israel, kick them out.

  • 6. 0 0
    United Arab List
    • Not-so-dumb citizen
    • 16.02.06
    • 22:38

    This is nothing but a pathetic attempt by Netanyahu to look "tough against the Arabs" in the hope of winning Russian votes. Unfortunately for Bibi, the public (including the Russians) sees through such political posturing. Bibi is going down down down.

  • 5. 0 0
    As a Israeli Arab....
    • Sami
    • 16.02.06
    • 21:10

    .. I support the Likud move to disqualify this part. If they want an Islamic government they can go live in Saudi Arabia, they do not need to run for election there to achive this.

  • 4. 0 0
    Omri Got 9 Months...
    • Yoram
    • 16.02.06
    • 18:55

    so how many will Sarsur get for possible incitement against the state and treason? Probably none.

  • 3. 0 0
    danny
    • Raz Telchai
    • 16.02.06
    • 18:55

    And when the muslims in england start making demands on your government or by population take over your government, I hope you will make the same gestures. But im sure in your world there are no borders and we all sit in a circle holding hands singing 60's folk songs. your calling for the end of the Jewish State is what is absurd danny

  • 2. 0 0
    Absurdity
    • Danny
    • 16.02.06
    • 18:38

    That ideas of this nature are taken seriously demonstrates the absurdity of a state that differentiates it's citizens based on religion or any other factor. A true lasting peace will not be generated through inequality. The only true solution is one secular state where all of its citizens, some of which that are related to me, are equals in every sense.

  • 1. 0 0
    this is only the beginning
    • justin
    • 16.02.06
    • 18:10

    the problem that Israel faces with the Palestinians and Hamas pales in comparison to the problem Israel will face in the future from within. Today we are seeing the beginnings of it with parties like the United Arab List and candidates like Tibi. They have ZERO interest in the notion of a Jewish state, and will do exactly what Hamas and the Nazi's did to gain control, namely, utilize the power of the ballot box, and exploit the vulnerabilities of democracies. Israeli's can continue to be short sighted and ignore this issue for now while there continues to be a significant Jewish majority in Israel. However, given demographic realities, Israeli arabs are expected to gain greater and greater influence at the Israeli polls with each passing year. Ultimately, Israel's greatest challenge is to figure out how to prevent parties from coming into power that could threaten the Jewish character of the state, and at the same time not allow ourselves to become a Jewish minority ruling an arab maj.