http://www.aaiusa.org/pr/release08-06-01.htm Israeli Speaker calls Palestinians "Unhuman"
Official Wrongly Uses U.S. Visit for Incitement
August 6, 2001
Washington - In a letter to Israeli Knesset Speaker Avraham Burg, AAI President James Zogby condemned as "racist" the Speaker’s recent remarks about Palestinians on ABC’s "Nightline." Speaker Burg’s appearance on the program took place during his recent visit to Washington.
The text of the letter, including Speaker Burg’s excerpted remarks, follows:
On Thursday, August 2, you appeared on the U.S. television program "Nightline" and described Palestinians as "people you do not want your daughter to get married to" and "unhuman." Frankly, I was stunned. These remarks were racist and quite painful to hear.
At a time when Israelis and Palestinians are engaged in a deteriorating cycle of violence, it is inappropriate to fan the flames of violence by engaging in such incitement.
As the United States works to bring calm to the region, it needs Israeli and Palestinian leaders to support a dialogue of peace not one of hatred.
If Palestinians and Israelis are ever to reach a just and lasting peace, then they must begin by recognizing the other’s humanity. I ask that in the future, you reflect on your position and use it for positive outreach instead of your own personal feelings about whether or not Palestinians share your ‘humanity.’
AAI is a national organization committed to the civic and political empowerment of Americans of Arab descent.
