Gantz tells Arab Israelis: “You are an inseparable part of Israeli society”

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Israel’s National Unity Party leader Benny Gantz, the retired army general who now leads Israel’s emergency war cabinet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Monday published a video address to Arab citizens of Israel, telling them that they are an “inseparable part of Israeli society” and share Israel’s “destiny,” the Jerusalem Post reports.

Gantz’s speech was posted to the X social media channel a day and a half after a group of Jewish university students in Netanya chanted “Death to Arabs” and “All the Arabs out,” during a demonstration outside a dorm.

Addressing Jewish Israelis as well as Arab Israelis specifically, Gantz said: “We are in a war with those who want to destroy us, to hurt us, a murderous terror organization that goes against the ethics of humanity, the values of humanity, and also the values of Islam.” Gantz then referenced the heroic actions of Arab Israelis who rushed to help Jews under attack from Hamas terrorists on October 7. “I met dozens of Arab volunteers, alongside Jews,” he said. “Paramedics, who rushed to save lives. Israelis’ destiny is shared,” Gantz said.

“It is important for me to say to Arab citizens of Israel: we are in a war for our home, and you are an inseparable part of it,” Gantz emphasized. “Only together, with all parts of Israeli society, will we win, and will we bring better days.”

In a separate address posted in English to Jews around the world on Monday night, Gantz said: “Like every Jewish generation, we find ourselves once again weeping for the murder of Jewish children. Entire families turned to dust at the hands of Hamas, a terror organization more despicable than ISIS. But like every Jewish generation, we will outlive this evil too. The one and only Jewish state will prevail,” Gantz continued. “As I speak, our sons and daughters endanger their lives to ensure our survival…We will continue dreaming of peace, but we swear to deliver on our promise: the eternal, safe, powerful, one and only Jewish state is here to stay.”

Approximately 20% of Israel’s population is Arab, with the majority being citizens. Arab citizens have equal legal rights to Jewish Israelis.

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