Israeli
President Shimon Peres warned of
the demographic shifts as
a result of further Israeli settlements
in the West Bank,
sparking anger, according to representatives
of the settlers, the Israeli military radio
reported.
"Israeli settlements in densely populated Arab areas could bring about
a demographic change about which we would do well to think hard about before
acting," he said in remarks broadcast on both army radio and Israel public
radio.
"Without a Jewish majority, it is doubtful whether a Jewish state can
remain Jewish," he warned during a ceremony held on Tuesday evening.
His remarks were referring to demographic shifts of a possible annexation of
the West Bank, an issue which came up earlier this week with the publication of
a report which found that Jews "have the legal right" to settle in
the West Bank.
According to projections, Israel
is rapidly losing the "demographic battle" against the Palestinians
who are set to outnumber Jews in the area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean within a matter of years.
He said the Israeli president at a ceremony in Jerusalem: "We
suspect that the remains of the Jewish state Jewish without a Jewish majority."
For his part, refused to Danny Dayan, Chairman
of the Board charges of settlements,
Israeli President Peres accused of violating the institution of the Presidency
again by taking political
positions that are controversial.