Netanyahu Seeks Expulsion of Arab-Israeli Knesset Member for Incitement after Turkey Deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday conferred with the country’s Attorney General to consider the possible expulsion from the Israeli Knesset of the Arab-Israeli lawmaker Hanin Zoabi, Anadolu Agency reported.

Earlier in the day, a clash broke out in the Knesset after Arab-Joint List MK Zoabi labeled as “murderers”, Israeli soldiers who participated in an attack in 2010 against a Turkish aid flotilla that was heading to the Gaza Strip in an effort to lift an embargo imposed by Israel.

Zoabi went to say that a deal signed earlier this week between Turkey and Israel amounts to a murder confession by Israel.

 

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“I demand an apology to me and to all the political activists who were on the Marmara,” she said, referring to the Mavi Marmara that was attacked in international waters resulting in the deaths of 10 Turkish nationals.

MK Amir Ohana (Likud) was the first to file a complaint against Zoabi.

“Hanin Zoabi has, and not for the first time, crossed the line separating legitimate free speech which can sometimes be painful, and incitement against IDF soldiers, whom she characterized as ‘murderers’,” wrote Ohana.

“This is a depravity that cannot go unanswered,” Ohana continued. “The Ethics Committee must put in place the harshest sanctions against Zoabi allowed by law, and to do so as quickly as possible to highlight the severity of this matter. And no less important: We will find a way to distance this terror supporter from the Knesset – and I expect my peers from all of the parties who condemned Zoabi’s incitement to join this effort and not to stop with mere condemnations.”
Netanyahu said Zoabi’s actions were unacceptable.

“In her actions and lies she has crossed the red line and has no place in the Knesset,” Netanyahu said in a statement.

Turkey and Israel signed a reconciliation deal Tuesday, which is aimed at normalizing relations after a six-year hiatus.