Eitam: Israel Must Begin to Face the Truth, Transfer the Only Viable Option
Having stated and re-stated his position on transfer, is this principle for Eitam, or perceived and changeable political cheshbon? For context, click here. MB
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Speaking with Army Radio’s Razi Barkai Wednesday morning, MK Effie Eitam (National Union-NRP) was asked to explain his terming of Israeli Arabs a “fifth column” and his call for Israel to encourage the transfer of PA Arabs from Judea and Samaria.
“Look, in the wake of this war, the people of Israel need to begin to say the truth,” Eitam said. “The days of viewing our territory as a check book through which we can buy off the rejection of our existence here have ended. We therefore must be honest with ourselves – if we can’t give the land away and we can’t keep the land with this hostile nation upon it – we must encourage them to emigrate.”
Eitam said he was coming from a recent trip to the United States, where he discussed his ideas with Attorney General John Ashcroft. Eitam said Ashcroft was very receptive to the ideas, due to the lessons of September 11th. “The assertion that the world will not allow transfer to occur is another deception,” Eitam said.
Eitam: Lebanonization of Northern Samaria and Gaza
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Speaking to Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) host Razi Barkai on Wednesday morning, MK (National Union) Effie Eitam, a retired IDF brigadier-general, stated that as a result of the IDF retreat from northern Samaria and Gaza, there is a “Lebanonization” process taking place.
Eitam warned that future retreats from areas of Judea and Samaria would lead to an increase of this process, which would pose a direct threat to major cities including Tel Aviv.
Referring to Arab lawmakers, Eitam stated they pose a danger and must be compelled to display their loyalty to the state. “While our sons are being killed in the war, they travel to our enemies to congratulate them,” referring to Arab MKs who traveled to Syria and Lebanon.
Eitam stated “they must decide if they are loyal to the state or are a “fifth column” and, therefore, must be treated appropriately.