Discussion on Arab Society Integration

First of all, I want to tell you and all of you that you're saying very brave things about Arab society's integration.

People have been talking about this since yesterday, since the consultations began and you said some brave things here, and you also talked about disarming Hamas You said it before and clarified it now.

Why not say it and answer the question of whether Hamas is a terrorist organization and get this thing off your back, so to speak, and give the skeptics an answer and really create some possibility here for what I think would be a fascinating political move.

I have a clear-cut answer, but leave me that room to be a bridge and influence the other side too and leave me room to protect myself, myself and my family.

And I said, Arab society—I also both as an individual and as Arab citizens, we are a bridge.

Let's not destroy that bridge. Let's not turn us into supporters of terror or into traitors.

Please leave us that room. We do not qualify political violence in any of its forms, or say, "but".

It's not just condemning October seventh and speaking out against it.

And all the efforts we made, including for the release of hostages.

In every respect, for the thirty or forty years we've been in politics, since the days of Sheikh Abdallah Nimr Darwish, we've made unequivocal statements on this issue.

Leave us that leeway. Something may come of me, but this is the leeway I'm looking for so I can be a bridge for reconciliation and peace, while also preserving…

I'm saying this, and I've already said it in the media, in a certain sense, this is a matter of saving lives.

Please leave us that leeway, unequivocally.

We oppose all terrorist activity and violence of any kind against any person, and we strive for reconciliation and peace between the two peoples.

Thank you.