Libya – Gaddafi: Zionism Is The Problem, Not Jews

Libya – The Israeli delegation of six Knesset members that visited Libya met for three hours Sunday evening with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. MK Talab el-Sana (United Arab List-Taal) told Ynet that the meeting had been open and friendly, and that Gaddafi had agreed to their request to allow Arab students from Israel to study in Libya.

“The Libyan leader emphasized the significance of our visit and noted that he has nothing against Jews, but against Zionism,” el-Sana said.

“We are not against Jews, but we have a problem with Zionism and Zionist leaders who oppress the Palestinians, and also you, Arabs of ’48,” Gaddafi said during the meeting, using the common Arab appellation for Israel’s Palestinian citizens. “We didn’t massacre Jews, it was the west that did that. We gave them refuge.”

The Libyan leader also said that the occupation “will bring disaster upon the Israeli entity,” adding to his guests, “We invited you because your voices are not being heard, and I want the world to hear you.”

Two-state solution ‘unrealistic’

Gaddafi repeated his vision of one state for Arabs and Jews, a vision known as “Isratine”, and said that Israel’s Arabs must “multiply” to counter any “plots” to expel them.

“Israel will never be a pure Jewish state in this region,” Gaddafi said. “Its leaders are leading it to the edge of the precipice. I think the solution is one state with elections held under UN supervision. The solution of two states for two peoples is stupid and unrealistic.”

“Zionism takes anti-Semitism in order to suppress all criticism of itself. We, a Semitic nation, and you also, fall victim to this behavior.”

Gaddafi also said that the Israeli regime, by failing to promote peace, is promoting war. “Warmongering just before elections because it helps one party or another is illegitimate; you can’t just sacrifice the lives of innocent civilians.”

The solution which will bring peace to the region, he said, is one democratic state for two peoples, the right of return for the refugees, and making the region free of nuclear weapons.