Ibrahim Sarsur
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| Ibrahim Sarsur | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Date of birth | February 2, 1959 |
| Knesset(s) | 17th (current) |
| Party | United Arab List |
Sheikh Ibrahim Sarsur (Arabic: ابراهيم صرصور, Hebrew: אברהים צרצור, born February 2, 1959) is an Israeli Arab politician and Knesset member, and is currently leader of the United Arab List.
A native of Kafr Qasim, Sarsur served on its council between 1989 and 1999. During the 1970s, he studied English literature and English linguistics at Bar-Ilan University. In 1999, he became head of the southern faction of the Islamic Movement (considered more moderate than its northern counterpart). He is one of the heads of the Supreme Committee for the Surveillance of Israeli Arabs (Arabic: لجنة المتابعة العليا للجماهير العربية في إسرائيل), an organization founded in 1982 in order to coordinate the political activities of Israeli Arabs.
He was active in the the United Arab List before its merger with Ahmad Tibi's Ta'al, and became leader of the united list. He was voted to the Knesset in the 2006 elections.
In 2007 he caused controversy by speaking out against a meeting of Palestinian lesbians, releasing a statement saying that "all respectable people from all communities and streams to stand up against preaching sexual deviance among our women and girls." [1] He also claimed there were no homosexuals in the muslim community.[2]
In April 2008 he again stirred controversy when, following an Israeli air strike in the Gaza Strip which killed a woman and her four children, he compared the actions of Israel to those of the Nazis: "Israel's killing of innocent people is reminiscent of some very dark times, including that of the Nazis." [3]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Islamic Movement slams Arab gay meeting Haaretz, 11 March 2007
- ^ Arab MK: No gays in Muslim society Ynetnews, 7 April 2006
- ^ Arab MK: Israel's acts reminiscent of Nazis Ynetnews, 28 April 2008
[edit] External links
- Ibrahim Sarsur Knesset website (English)
