By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Wednesday railed against what he termed “deep-seated discrimination” against Arab Israelis, local daily The Jerusalem Post reported on its website.
“For 60 years there has been discrimination against Arabs in Israel. This discrimination is deep-seated and intolerable,” Olmert was quoted as saying while addressing a meeting of the Knesset (parliament) committee that is investigating the lack of integration of Arab citizens in public service.
The gap between the proportion of Arab citizens in Israel and their integration in the state’s public service positions “arouses concern and unrest,” added the premier.
Member of Knesset Ahmad Tibi, chairman of the committee, had proposed establishing an apparatus to supervise the incorporation of Arabs in the Israeli public service.
However, World Likud Head Danny Danon lashed out at Olmert’s remarks, saying that the outgoing prime minister, who will remain in office before the February parliamentary elections, was overlooking efforts by Arabs to “undermine security.”
“Olmert thinks that in his final months as prime minister he can dole out statements that will cause his failures and deeds to be forgotten,” Danon said in a statement.
“This week he declared that it is necessary to cede land to our enemies and today he is ignoring the efforts of the Israeli Arab leadership, which is doing everything in its power to undermine state security,” said Danon.
On Monday, Olmert used a memorial ceremony for former premier Yitzhak Rabin to reiterate that Israel must be willing to give up parts of Jerusalem in return for peace.
Rabin won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994 before being shot dead in 1995 by a right-wing radical who opposed to his signing of the Oslo Accords which recognize Palestinians’ right to their own statehood in exchange for acceptance of Israel’s existence.