COPENHAGEN, Denmark

Israel's focus is on strengthening its economy and military through its campaign against Palestinians and does not care about peace, Miko Peled, Israeli peace activist and author, said Wednesday in Denmark.

Peled, born and bred in 1961 in Jerusalem, is the author of the book, “The General’s Son: Journey of an Israeli in Palestine”. He took part in his book's promotion which was newly translated into Danish on Wednesday in Copenhagen.

Peled’s grandfather, Avraham Katsnelson, signed Israel’s declaration of Independence, and his father, Mattityahu Peled, fought in the 1948 war and served as general in the 1967 war. Mattityahu Peled became a peace activist after the Israeli cabinet ignored his investigation of 1967 Israeli war crimes.

Miko also walked in his father's footsteps, becoming a peace activist and supporter of a two-state solution.

He said Tel Aviv was established on the ruins of Palestinian populated zones. “4.3 million Palestinians are living in refugee camps,” Peled said, adding that they do not meet even basic human needs.

He spoke also about the boycott campaign against Israel. “Because of powerful Israeli lobbies, it is not easy to condemn Israel, and many people avoid speaking the truth,” he said.

Israel was founded in 1948 in Palestinian inhabited areas after fighting a war against Arab countries. Israel, from then onwards, continued to expand its territories at the expense of Palestinian land, while the United Nations considers these occupied territories.

www.aa.com.tr/en