Ahmadiyya Leader Warns Israel Faces Disintegration Amid Arab Exclusion
Translated & summarized from Al-Shams by baba
The Amir of the Ahmadiyya Community, Mohammed Sharif Odeh, warned that Prime Minister Netanyahu's rhetoric is inciting hatred against Arab citizens, leading to attacks and jeopardizing shared society. He stated that Israel's exclusion of its Arab citizens contradicts democratic principles and risks societal disintegration, especially following the events of October 7. Odeh called for dialogue and mutual respect to foster coexistence and equality, emphasizing that this is crucial for the nation's stability and future.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Ahmadiyya leader Mohammed Sharif Odeh warned Netanyahu's rhetoric incites Arabs and risks Israeli societal disintegration.
- Odeh cited attacks on Arab citizens as evidence of the dangerous atmosphere created by political discourse.
- He stressed that equal citizenship and Arab participation are vital for Israel's democratic and liberal identity.
- The leader highlighted historical coexistence between Jews and Muslims as a model for current relations.
- Odeh cautioned that excluding Arab voices from politics undermines democratic principles.
- He warned that escalating hostility, particularly since October 7, threatens internal Israeli society.
The Amir of the Ahmadiyya Community, Sheikh Mohammed Sharif Odeh, stated that Prime Minister Netanyahu's rhetoric incites the entire Arab community, disregarding political differences, and that the Prime Minister is risking lives for personal gain and to remain in power. Speaking on Radio Al-Shams, Odeh noted that the effects of this rhetoric are evident in attacks against Arab citizens in public spaces and warned that the continuation of such an atmosphere jeopardizes the possibility of building a shared society. He described the fear and suspicion towards Arabs within Jewish society as a pathological condition that numbs empathy and hinders rational thought, emphasizing the need for dialogue and education about the true message of Islam and the history of coexistence between Muslims and Jews. Odeh pointed to centuries of Jewish life in various Islamic societies, from Andalusia to Baghdad, as historical examples of shared life and equal treatment among different religious groups. He asserted that equal citizenship is fundamental to societal stability, citing the example of Prophet Muhammad's Medina, which he described as a model of coexistence without discrimination. Odeh argued that Israel cannot be a truly democratic and liberal state without embracing its Arab citizens and ensuring their political and social participation, stating that their exclusion contradicts the democratic principles the state claims to uphold. He clarified that the Ahmadiyya community is an integral part of the Palestinian Arab society within Israel, participating in elections and maintaining their Arab, Palestinian, and Islamic identity. Odeh criticized the marginalization of the Arab voice in politics, recounting sending a letter to the President of Israel after the elections to protest the disregard for Arab citizens' votes, likening it to hypothetically disregarding Jewish votes in the United States. He warned that escalating hostility towards Arabs, particularly since October 7, not only harms Arab-Jewish relations but also threatens to tear Israeli society apart from within, as raising generations with exclusionary attitudes could lead to internal conflicts. Odeh concluded that continuing this approach could lead the country to disintegration, stressing that his message is one of love, tolerance, and embracing all societal components, and that everyone's interest lies in halting incitement and working towards a shared life based on equality.