Palestinian officials on Knesset results: Israeli society tends toward extremism and violence

By: Amin Abu Wardeh

Palestinian pundits, political forces and theorists are filling the airwaves but much of the public is not watching. The people who are do not register a difference in the effects on their lives as the occupied population.

Forty-two year old Jamal Imran said he did not follow the Israeli elections at all. “There is no difference between one party and the others. They are all part of a march of murder against our people.”

Dr. Sa'eb Erekat, the head of negotiations in the Palestine Liberation Organization, commented, "Israeli voters did not vote for peace."

Kayed al-Ghoul said, "Israeli voters chose extremism at a time when Arabs are promoting peace."

Political analyst Hani Al Masri said the Palestinian street is particularly indifferent to the Israeli elections this time considering that the differences were not substantial and decisive between the candidates. “Frankly, from the candidates and parties it is clear that Israel is less ready than ever for peace.”

Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council Mona Mansour in the Hamas parliamentary bloc said the results were not surprising “in particular due to the rise of extremist forces in the Jewish state.”

Member of the PLC in the Fateh bloc Najat Abu Bakr agreed adding, “There is a strong Zionist tendency throughout Israeli society that feeds on the suffering of others. This is a society with tendencies toward extremism, violence and militarization.”

Abu Bakr continued today, “Such a society tends toward deviation, losing its ability to reason or find solutions and instead relies on religious zealotry and the language of blood.”