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Ahmad Tibi: No Apologies For Being a 'Palestinian Patriot'

In an interview with Shlomi Eldar, Arab Knesset Member Ahmed Tibi realizes that he infuriates many Jewish Israelis, but he has no plans to apologize.
Ahmad Tibi (R), member of Knesset, the Israeli parliament, attends the funeral of George Habash, founder of the radical Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) in Amman January 28, 2008. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed (JORDAN)
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“I’m a Palestinian patriot whether you like it or not. If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t be Ahmad Tibi.” That’s how the Arab Knesset member who has spent fourteen years on the opposition benches of Israel’s parliament, describes himself in a special interview with Al-Monitor.

In some circles he is considered to be “Public Enemy Number Two” (after Knesset Member Haneen Zoabi), but it seems much more interesting to try and understand him than it is to reject him outright. Tibi, a politician with sharp instincts, eloquent Hebrew tinged with Yiddishisms, and a deep, almost intimate, understanding of Israeli society, knows how to enjoy a good provocation.

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