President Moshe Katzav welcomed leaders and representatives of Women in Green to his official residence today, where they presented him with a petition signed by over 350,000 people against the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Katzav met several weeks ago with former Shabak chief Ami Ayalon, who presented the President with a petition signed by several tens of thousands in favor of an Arab state to be formed in Judea, Samaria and Gaza. Women in Green notes that it was signed by "many Arabs, whereas our plan is signed chiefly by Jews, showing therefore that it reflects more truthfully the true desires of the People of Israel."
Today's petition, addressed to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, states,
"We raise our voice in protest at your declaration, followed by a declaration by Pres. Bush, regarding your consent to establish a Palestinian state in the heart of the Land of Israel. The events of the past year have once again proven that Yasser Arafat and the Palestinian Authority are enemies of the Jewish Nation, and are no different than Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the other terrorist organizations, whose sole purpose is to liquidate the State of Israel. A Palestinian state in the Land of Israel is, aside from 'stealing the poor man's lamb,' also an existential danger to the State of Israel. As our elected Prime Minister, you must declare and actualize the historic bonds between the Nation of Israel and the Land of Israel. We oppose a Palestinian state!"
The petition was faxed to the Prime Minister's Office, which proffered no reply.
Katzav met several weeks ago with former Shabak chief Ami Ayalon, who presented the President with a petition signed by several tens of thousands in favor of an Arab state to be formed in Judea, Samaria and Gaza. Women in Green notes that it was signed by "many Arabs, whereas our plan is signed chiefly by Jews, showing therefore that it reflects more truthfully the true desires of the People of Israel."
Today's petition, addressed to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, states,
"We raise our voice in protest at your declaration, followed by a declaration by Pres. Bush, regarding your consent to establish a Palestinian state in the heart of the Land of Israel. The events of the past year have once again proven that Yasser Arafat and the Palestinian Authority are enemies of the Jewish Nation, and are no different than Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the other terrorist organizations, whose sole purpose is to liquidate the State of Israel. A Palestinian state in the Land of Israel is, aside from 'stealing the poor man's lamb,' also an existential danger to the State of Israel. As our elected Prime Minister, you must declare and actualize the historic bonds between the Nation of Israel and the Land of Israel. We oppose a Palestinian state!"
The petition was faxed to the Prime Minister's Office, which proffered no reply.