The end of Zionism

An Arab will take over the culture of Israel

For the first time in the 59-year history of the State of Israel, an Israeli of Arab origin will be appointed to a ministerial post in this country. It will be 53-year-old member of the left-wing Labor party Raleb Medjadele. He will replace Ophir Pines as Minister of Science, Culture and Sports, who decided to leave the government in protest against the accession of Avigdor Lieberman's right-wing party, Our Home Is Israel, to it.

“This is a historical event not only for Israeli Arabs, but for all of Israel,” assistant to the future minister Ismail Abu Farah told Vremya Novostey. “This is a step towards achieving true equality and reconciliation between the different groups living in Israel.” Today, 1.3 million Arabs are Israeli citizens, out of a total population of 6.9 million. Three Arab parties are represented in the Israeli parliament, with 11 members of Arab origin in the 120-seat Knesset.

The head of the Labor party, Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz, decided to nominate an Arab as minister. Perhaps this is how he decided to increase his popularity among Arab voters. Internal party elections are scheduled for May 2007 in Labor, and according to recent polls, Peretz’s popularity within his party has decreased significantly over the year.

Raleb Medjadele's candidacy must still be approved by the government, and then by the Knesset. As VN was told at the reception of the future minister, these formalities are expected to be completed next week. But it won't be easy. Far-right parties perceived the attempt to “appoint an Arab to the government” as “the end of Zionism,” on which, in fact, the Jewish state is based. In addition, the possible future minister of science, culture and sports, according to his official biography, does not even have a higher education, and the profession column says that he is a businessman.

Maria GRISHINA, Dmitry DUBOV, Jerusalem