Influencing Israeli public opinion is our weapon of choice — Odeh

Ramallah: Ayman Odeh is the Chairman of the Arab Joint List, a political bloc in the Israeli Knesset comprised of Palestinians living in 1948 areas. He spoke exclusively to Gulf News about his bloc’s struggle to gain equal rights in Israeli society and challenges over the discriminatory and racist policies of the right-wing Israeli government against its one million Palestinian citizens.

He also addresses the issue of colony building in the Occupied West Bank and the increased Jewish raids on Al Haram Al Sharif in Occupied Jerusalem.

GN: The Israeli Parliament on March 8 passed an initial reading to ban mosques in 1948 areas from using loudspeakers to call prayers in the early morning time. How will you respond to such a law?

AO: The bill targets our national and cultural identity as Palestinians. Netanyahu’s right-wing government is seeking to turn the conflict from a political one into a religious one. Our cause is national and we reject such attempts to make the conflict about religion. We will not obey this law, and the Azan will continue as before. The Muezzin bill isn’t the only racist law being proposed.

There are other discriminatory laws being proposed such as forcible recruitment into the Israeli army, the banning of commemorating the Nakba, and the demolishing of Palestinian homes.

GN: How has US President Trump’s administration been received by Israeli politicians?

AO: Israeli right-wing parties were happy at first. They started talking about the annexation of some parts of the Occupied West Bank Area C to Israel. But they have since moderated their enthusiasm, especially after Trump has not relocated the US embassy to Occupied Jerusalem as he promised during the campaign. His policy toward the Palestinian-Israeli conflict remains uncertain.

All US administrations have been completely biased towards Israel so I don’t think Trump is particularly more biased.

GN: You participated at the J Street conference in the United States in late February. What was the purpose of your participation? How would you describe your relationship with the Jews of the United States? Is it possible they could play a role in pressuring the Israeli government in the future to give Palestinians equal rights?

AO: A wide range of American Jews are concerned about the intimate relationship between Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump. They believe Trump has racist tendencies. During Trump’s short period in office, some anti-Semitic assaults took place against Jewish sites, so they are concerned. They know that Netanyahu continues to incite against minorities, as does Trump. Netanyahu felt more comfortable and welcome during his meeting with Trump than when he is at the Knesset. I addressed the racism of the Netanyahu government in the Knesset and my speech has been widely welcomed.

GN: You campaigned over the issue of unrecognised villages in the Negev and your efforts have succeeded in influencing the Israeli public. What are your next steps?

AO: Israel discriminates against Palestinians in housing construction policies. Since 1948, Israel has established 800 Jewish villages, cities, neighbourhoods, and zero for 1948 Palestinians. There are 934 Jewish towns where 1948 Palestinians are prohibited to live. We are leading a joint Palestinian-Jewish struggle to raise the issue of the unrecognised villages where more than 130,000 people live.

The Negev forms 60 per cent of the land of 1948 Palestine and 20 per cent is inhabited — there is place for both Palestinians and Jews there.

GN: How would you describe your relationship with the Palestinians people in the Occupied West Bank and Gaza?

AO: Nationally and emotionally, we are part of the Palestinian people. We are heavily involved in protesting the end of Israeli occupation in the West Bank and Jerusalem. The Palestinian cause is our main cause which includes ending occupation and improving our rights inside Israel.

GN: How is the 1948 Palestinians’ relationship with Arab countries?

AO: We have urged Arab countries to support us in sensitive issues like the US plan to relocate the embassy to Occupied Jerusalem, and the ban of the call-to-prayer. But recently, Arab power has weakened.

But taking a stand on these issues is good enough. We wish to keep the cultural relationship with Arab people everywhere strong.

GN: How long will the Palestinian people have to wait to achieve liberty?

AO: Occupation will end through either of these three methods: Resistance, winning over Israeli public opinion, or winning over international public opinion. The Arab Joint List is implementing the second method.

1948-area Palestinians have put heavy pressure to end the occupation. There are dozens of scheduled protests this year on the matter.