|
PM Sharon's remarks at start of today's meeting with Arab Local Council Heads |
|
| 17/09/2003 |
"I would like to welcome the Committee of Arab Local Council heads. I
invited the heads of the Arab local councils to an open conversation in
light of the publication of the Or Commission report. It was written in the
report that the treatment of the Arab sector is a very important and
sensitive issue that must be personally dealt with by the Prime Minister.
As is well known, six months ago, upon the establishment of the current
government, I established a ministerial committee to deal with the
non-Jewish sector and I decided to chair the committee so that I might deal
with this issue as well.
This is the only committee that I personally took upon myself. It has
already held several discussions in which decisions - that have already been
carried out - were taken. I will not detail them all here but I will point
out one important decision on the completion of the four-year plan to assist
and advance the Arab sector. Due to budget cuts in recent years, it was
decided to extend the plan for another two years in order to complete the
commitments in spite of our economic difficulties.
I see the need to improve the situation and status of Israeli Arabs as being
of the highest importance; this is so that genuine equality of rights and
obligations may be achieved for all Israeli citizens. I emphasize here the
rights and obligations of all Israeli citizens. Today, to my regret, before
the conclusion of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, we have difficult
issues. I believe that the day will come in which upon the conclusion of
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it will be possible to demand not only
rights but also obligations.
Israeli Arabs deserve equality as a right and not as a privilege. My
government has set this as a priority, to implement this basic value, and I
want to emphasize that you also have the responsibility to achieve these
aims. There is distress as a result of the plight that exists in the cities
that you lead, and you will also have to make efforts, with our help, but
greater efforts.
The majority of the Arab public is law-abiding, and it is their right to
protest and demonstrate whilst observing the law. It must not happen that a
small, inciting and extremist minority should take advantage of this right
and instigate violent outbursts. Jews and Arabs will live together in the
State of Israel.
I am trying to look backwards, to the days of my childhood at the moshav. I
did not think that there would be a day where Jews and Arabs would not live
together.
This State is truly wonderful but very complicated, Jews and Arabs, secular
and religious, religious and ultra-orthodox, etc. I could make a very long
list here."
|
|