By Salma El-Taweel
Albawaba.com - Amman
Arab member of Knesset Ahmad Tibi has said that the resignation of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak was an expected move, describing it as a legal and political trick which was meant to deny his strong rival Benjamin Netanyahu the chance to nominate himself as a candidate.
He added that Barak’s step came under pressure from his rival in the Labor party, and out of fear of a landslide victory for his rival, as anticipated by the opinion polls.
At a press conference in Amman on Sunday, the Tibi, however, slammed as “undemocratic” the attempt by the Likud party to bypass Barak’s move, and enact a law enabling Netanyahu to run for Prime Ministerial elections.
“To issue a law just for the sake of one person is unacceptable and undemocratic,” Tibi, who has nominated himself for the post, said.
Netanyahu is not allowed by the law to be a candidate for prime minister because he is not a member of Knesset, and his supporters are pushing for a law that would consolidate premiership and Knesset membership elections, the way things were previously done.
According to Tibi, “there is great satisfaction” among the Arabs in Israel over Barak’s resignation since they believed that the Intifada forced it. This does not mean, however, that they are looking forward to Netanyahu’s return or Sharon’s victory.
He said that this was the reason behind his nomination: to give the people one more choice.
Tibi said that the Intifada was one of the main reasons “but not the only one,” adding that Israeli internal political battles were another reason for the resignation.
On the other hand, the MK urged the Palestinians to watch the details of the Israeli political life closely, maintaining that it is not enough for Palestinian leaders to comment on a development like Barak’s resignation by saying “it is an internal Israeli affair.”
“Israel interferes in every tiny matter in the Palestinian territories, and it is the PNA’s duty to be interested in the developments in Israel,” he said.
The protests rallies in Arab streets and the anti-Israel campaigns have become a source of worry for Israel.
“Israel realized that in order for it to enjoy the fruits of peace it has to respect its commitments,” he added.
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
