Egypt President Hosni Mubarak says that he will not accept Israel as a "Jewish state," suggesting that Israeli leaders should follow his country's example.

In an interview with the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth, the Egyptian president said that he will not accept a compromise on a Palestinian recognition of a Jewish state, Ynet News reported Friday.

"Don't you have Arab citizens in Israel?" Mubarak asks. "You want to turn Israel into a Jewish state only? That is very bad. I'm telling you. It's a serious mistake which will harm you."

"A Jewish state will become the target of all terrorists. An open state, on the other hand, is a different matter. Look at us in Egypt: We have Muslims, Christians, Copts and Jews," explained the ruler of the first Arab state to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel.

About 20 percent of Israeli population is constituted by Palestinians.

Hawkish Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has recently conditioned Tel Aviv's acceptance of a Palestinian state to the Palestinian recognition of Israel as a "Jewish state".

ZAP/MMN