Their goal is to hurt Israel - Dan Margalit

by Dan Margalit

The entire Arab League designated the group as a terrorist organization. But not Joint Arab List (Balad faction) MK Dr. Jamal Zahalka, nor Hadash's Jewish MK, Dr. Dov Khenin.

Nothing will make Joint Arab List parties Balad and Hadash tone down their stance. The harsh criticism against Hezbollah was taken up a notch this weekend. It is no longer only Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States -- the entire Arab League designated the group as a terrorist organization. But not Joint Arab List (Balad faction) MK Dr. Jamal Zahalka, nor Hadash's Jewish MK, Dr. Dov Khenin. 

This is not a trivial matter. The sages say that a sin repeated becomes a habit, and that is what is happening with the stance of the Arab factions. They are completely and consistently hostile towards anything that has to do with Israel -- and the Jewish majority has grown accustomed to this behavior, accepts it as a decree from above and comes to terms with it. They do not object to or reflect on the Arab parties' vigorous efforts to harm Israel. There are democratic countries that would not exercise such patience and tolerance with a party like this, which represents a minority.

But now, things are getting more serious. The Arab League designated Hezbollah as a terrorist organization based on its own criteria, with no consideration for Israel, for better or worse. No Sunni, Christian or secular Arab interests will involve cooperation with Hezbollah. And among the Shiites, there is a major disagreement about where to place their loyalty. 

Now, with the ongoing support for Hezbollah from the Joint Arab List, light has been cast on an even more concerning situation: Even if the entire Arab-Islamic world believes that Hezbollah is a destructive presence on the scene, one fact remains stronger than anything else -- Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah is an essential player due to his violent animosity toward Israel.

Zahalka and his political partners determined for themselves and for their constituency that the principle of causing harm to Israel is more important and comes before any legitimate interests for Arabs in the Middle East or in the West. This is sad for those who worked hard for 68 years to integrate Israeli Arabs into the delicate texture of the local society. 

It is clear that this is the practical and declared stance of the Arab Knesset members. It also appears to consciously conflict with the will of their constituency. A poll released on Channel 2 News found that the majority of Israeli Arabs feel that the leadership of the Joint Arab List does not represent them well. These MKs have made no moves toward a policy of peace and Jewish-Arab coexistence. As long as they stick to this stance, even in light of changes in the Sunni-Shiite divide, they will become irrelevant to the Jewish-Arab dialogue.

Dan Margalit

Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_opinion.php?id=15493

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