Abdullah tells visiting Arab MKs Gaza violence worrying

All of the Knesset's Arab MKs were invited to participate in the trip, but the Balad Party refused to attend due to Nadia Hilu's (Labor) participation.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
abdullah 298.88 (photo credit: AP [file])
abdullah 298.88
(photo credit: AP [file])
Jordan's King Abdullah II told visiting Arab MKs on Sunday that he would do everything he could to stop the violence in the Gaza Strip, the MKs said. The United Arab List and Hadash factions, as well as MK Nadia Hilu (Labor), were invited by Abdullah to discuss ways in which the Arab MKs serve as envoys between Jordanian officials and the Knesset. "It was a very successful meeting, the king was very concerned about the ongoing violence in the Gaza Strip," said Hilu. "He wanted to know what could be done." Hilu said the king was willing to use diplomatic resources that were at his disposal to help quell the violence in the Gaza Strip. "We are all seeing the disturbing images from the Gaza Strip and we all feel a bit helpless. Jordan is a very good friend to Israel and would like to see more cooperation in the future," said Hilu. All of the Knesset's Arab MKs were invited to participate in the trip, but the Balad Party refused to attend due to Hilu's participation. According to a Balad Party official, Hilu did not represent the interest of Israeli Arabs, since her party was part of the "racist coalition" of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. The MKs said Abdullah had invited them to return for another visit this summer.