Israeli Arab leaders
The establishment of a Palestinian state will not provide a solution for the national aspirations of Israel's Arab citizens, Arab public figures said on Tuesday. Arab leaders participated Tuesday in a conference held to mark one year since the release of the "Future Vision of the Palestinian Arabs in Israel." The document demanded Israeli Arabs receive cultural, religious and educational autonomy, and the right to veto government decisions on national issues that affect them.Dr. Amal Jamal, head of the Political Science department at Tel Aviv University, said Tuesday that the "Palestinians have their Palestine. We have our Palestine." He emphasized the Palestinian right to self-identification also encompasses the Palestinian minority inside Israel, and demanded Israeli Arabs be give the chance to realize this right. Jafar Farah, the Director of Mossawa Advocacy Center for Arab citizens in Israel, said that a Palestinian state is in the interest of the Arab public in Israel, but has no connection to the rights of the Israeli Arab minority. "We need to define majority-minority relations in a manner that will guarantee minority rights. The character of the state is an internal Israel matter. I don't think it is in the interest of the State of Israel for Abu Mazen to define its character," he continued, referring to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Internal security minister, Avi Dichter says peace negotiations between Israel, Palestinians 'will not include a discussion on the capital's borders' (17,56)