Al Quds daily, Jerusalem, 31 October 2012
Attempts to recruit Christian Arab Israeli youth into the Israeli army have attracted the attention of their political and religious leaderships, which all issued statements condemning these moves and warning of an Israeli plot to cause a split between the Palestinians in Israel. Arab Israelis have always considered the issue to be a “red line” for them.
Dr. Azmi Hakim, head of the Council of Arab Orthodox Community in Nazareth, said he received threats on his life from Israeli military intelligence and other sources because of the council’s decision to excommunicate Gabriel Nadav, a church priest who participated in a conference hosted by representatives of the Israeli army and its intelligence branch to urge Christian Arabs to enroll in the Israeli army. Hakim said anonymous callers threatened to behead him if he were to touch the priest, Nadav.
In a statement issued yesterday, the council said “The Christian Arabs of the country are an integral part of the Palestinian people, and therefore protecting them is part of protecting all segments of the people against the national discrimination policy endorsed by all government and official institutions in the country.”
Former Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Michel Sabbah, warned the Christian youth from falling into the trap of using their guns against Palestinians.