Odeh: I do not put limits on Palestinian struggle

Israeli-Arab politician Ayman Odeh who leads the parliamentary list of Palestinians running under Israeli IDs suggested Tuesday he supports an armed Palestinian struggle against Israel.

Asked by an Israeli Army Radio host if the shooting of two Israelis in the West Bank last week is part of the “popular struggle,” Odeh said that “the Palestinian people choose how to fight against the occupation."

"I have no doubt that the popular way is the right way and definitely not armed struggle."

He said he had rejected armed struggle in the past, adding however that an occupied nation has a right to struggle for a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders.

Pressed by the radio host if that means he is against throwing rocks, throwing firebombs, and shooting at cars, Odeh responded that regarding throwing rocks, he supported the first intifada, which was “fully justified” because of the “occupation.”

Asked if throwing rocks is part of an armed struggle or legitimate protest, Odeh replied, “I always blame the occupation for being guilty. I cannot tell the nation how to struggle, where and which target to throw the rock. I do not put red lines on the Arab Palestinian nation,” he continued.