Israeli drive incites ‘ethnic cleansing’

‘Commanders of Israel’s Security’ group calls for expulsion of Palestinians in 1948 areas

Amedia campaign in Israel backed by former security officers is calling for the expulsion of Palestinians in 1948 areas.

Commanders for Israel’s Security (CIS) describes itself as a non-partisan body which advocates the immediate political separation of Israel from Palestine, so as to preserve the Jewish and democratic character of Israel.

In reality, the group comprises hundreds of former security officers and is led by retired Major General Amnon Reshef.

It has placed advertisements in Israeli newspapers, posted billboards across the country and spearheaded a massive online campaign, which has gained thousands of supporters.

The high birth rate among Palestinians has long terrified Israelis.

Palestinians in 1948 areas are expected to outnumber Jews by 2035 and become a majority by 2048, according to the United Nations.

Members of CIS believe that immediate separation from Palestine is vital to prevent the creation of a bi-national state.

“Israel must tackle this demographic threat with immediate effect,” the group declares.

The campaign includes the listing of a telephone number, which if dialled, plays a recording of former head of the Israeli Central Command, Avi Mizrahi, saying: “Are the billboards bothering you? They will disappear in a few days. What won’t disappear are the two-and-a-half million Palestinians in the West Bank. They want to be the majority — and this is who we want to annex? If we don’t separate from the Palestinians, Israel will be less Jewish and less secure. We need to separate from the Palestinians now.”

The newspaper ads feature statements in Arabic, English and Hebrew, with statements like, ‘Palestine: One state for two people.’

It also wants to “get rid of” at least 200,000 out of the 350,00 Palestinian residents of Occupied Jerusalem.

Palestinian authorities have decried the campaign and called on the international community to outlaw the group behind it.

The Palestinian interior ministry said the campaign incites the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.

“They are openly calling for war and the shedding of Palestinian blood — they should be designated as a terrorist group.”

AFP An advertisement in Tel Aviv in Arabic reads ‘Soon we will be the majority’. An initiative by a group of former Israeli security officers calls for immediate political separation from Palestinians.