Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Israeli Sheikhs: Zionism Failing, Islam on the Rise

Maayana Miskin
Published: 05/17/09 (first posted)

(IsraelNN.com) The Israel-based Islamic Movement led 'Nakba Day' rallies on Friday to mourn the creation of the State of Israel. The rallies were accompanied by dire warnings regarding Israel's future, and bright predictions of success for Islamists "The sun of Zionism will set as the sun of an Islamic state rises,” predicted Sheikh Khamel Hatib, the second in command in the Islamic Movement's northern branch.

Hatib issued a thinly veiled warning to Israeli Jews, saying, “If there will be a future Nakba, it will be suffered by another people, not ours.” The Arabic term "Nakba,” meaning "catastrophe,: is used to refer to the creation of Israel and the flight of many Arab Muslims from the fledgling state.

Hatib also addressed young Israeli Muslims, telling them not to serve the country in any way, including non-military volunteer programs. “Do not fall into the trap of national service,” he said.

'Next Year in Jerusalem'

The head of the Islamic Movement's northern branch, Sheikh Raed Salah, told crowds that next year, Israel's Muslims would celebrate 'Nakba Day' in Jerusalem, “the capital of the Palestinian state.”

Salah, who has been imprisoned in the past for incitement, referred to the Israeli presence in Jerusalem as “the occupation,” and predicted that it "will disappear in the near future.” He also slammed Israel's counterterrorism measures in Gaza, which he referred to as “the Holocaust perpetrated by Israel.”

'We'll Live Here, or Die as Martyrs'

Another fiery speech came from Mohammed Zeidan, head of the High Follow Up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel. Arab Israelis “will live here in happiness and prosperity, or die as martyrs on this land,” he said.

Arab citizens of Israel can take inspiration from young residents of Gaza “who died as martyrs,” he added.

Zeidan's High Follow Up Committee has accused Israel of committing genocide and war crimes, and has publicly stated that Hamas should not be held responsible in any way for conflict in Gaza. The group is leading calls for an international boycott of Israel products.

Sabri: 'Right of Return' Non-Negotiable

Another speaker, former Jerusalem Mufti Ikrama Sabri, encouraged Arabs living abroad to maintain their dream of “return” to Israel. “We must not give up on the right of return... we will never agree to accept financial compensation,” he said.

Millions of foreign Arabs claim descent from Arabs who fled the fledgling Jewish state during the War of Independence. They claim they have the right to return to the areas which their grandparents and great grandparents abandoned. If realized, such a scenario would turn Israel into a de facto Arab state.

Comment:
The same old rhetoric. Note that the enemy continues to repeat, repeat nd then repeat the same tired slogans. however, it is successful and something our side does not do-we are loosing the PR batle, i wonder why?

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