Israel dubs European parliaments' recognition of Palestinian state as populist declaration
MOSCOW. Dec 19 (Interfax) - Parliamentary resolutions by various countries recognizing a sovereign Palestinian state, are dictated by the wish to please the growing percentage of Muslim citizens, in the opinion of Israeli Deputy Interior Minister Faina Kirschenbaum.
"Understandably, we are not surprised by the developments in Europe because the European Muslim population has been growing with migrants, their influence on the local authorities is increasing and the European authorities, so to speak, are turning their face towards the Muslim population," she said in an interview with Interfax.
"European capital cities fear the influence of Muslims and do not want any domestic unrest to happen," she said.
"At the same time, the resolutions were not passed by the quorum and these are not decisions of legislative bodies. They are just populist declarations,' Kirschenbaum said.
She said she was concerned not only about resolutions declaring the need for the recognition of the Palestinian state.
"For instance, we are very concerned about various decisions being passed on the European platform with regard to crossing Hamas off the list of terrorist organizations," Kirschenbaum said, adding that such decisions were absurd.
"Our party chairman Avigdor Lieberman said in an interview that the decision to cross Hamas off the list of terrorist organizations was similar with holding a burning match close to a gas cylinder. In the end, not only Israel but also the entire European community will be endangered," she said.
Kirschenbaum pointed to Hamas' connections to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)
"ISIL is related not only to Hamas but also to other radical movements. It is simply integrating them. We may give the example of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hezbollah and Hamas. We have no doubt that such forces are being financed from Iran and Qatar," she said.
This situation threatens Israel but it is also dangerous for the rest of the world, the deputy minister remarked.
"Sizable migration from Muslim countries to Europe is in progress. Fighters from ISIL and other radical organizations may penetrate [into Europe] via these immigrants. Children are being raised in a certain spirit and they are repeating after adults and calling for the establishment of a world caliphate for Muslims only. So, this is a threat to the entire world," Kirschenbaum said.
