Majadle: Security check demand racist
Mar. 2, 2007 20:35 | Updated Mar. 2, 2007 20:49 Majadle: Security check demand racist By JPOST.COM STAFFMK Ghaleb Majadle, Israel's first Arab minister, who has been named science, culture, and sport minister, said Friday that he would rather resign than undergo a security check demanded by MKs Arye Eldad and Uri Ariel (NU-NRP.)
In a letter to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Ariel pointed out that Majadle's Science, Culture, and Sport Ministry is the body that oversees the Israel Space Agency. According to Ariel, the agency is responsible for "sensitive" strategic programs that affect Israel's security.
Ariel argued that if Majadle did not assent to a background check, his ministry should lose responsibility for the ISA.
Majadle told Israel Radio on Friday that he had passed the "public exam" when he was elected to the Knesset and received the government's trust. He added that other ministers were not required to submit to a background check before receiving a given portfolio, and that the request that he do so was "racist."
If Israel should not subject Majadle to a security check and also subject him to on going wire taps and reading of his emails, then we are crazy and this will bring us to a security risk of untold magnitude.
If not wanting an Arab to be a Minister in government of the Jewish State is wrong then how can Israel stand a chance to survive?
Arab members of Knesset spend their time traveling to Arab countries and call for the destruction of the Jewish State, now not only do I not want an Arab to be a Minister in the government of my State the Jewish State of Israel. I want Arab members of Knesset that call for the destruction of the State to go to prison or better yet the hangman.
