Fight breaks
out in Knesset as members turn violent towards Arab MK who took
part in Gaza flotilla
Knesset
members on Wednesday slammed MK Hanin Zoabi (Balad), who took
part in the flotilla to Gaza raided by the IDF on Monday. Fears
of violence against her by other MKs have led the Knesset to
grant her personal security guards.
MK Zoabi:
Israel wanted highest number of fatalities / Sharon Roffe-Ofir
Arab Knesset member who participated in Gaza aid flotilla holds
press conference says, 'It was clear from size of force that
boarded ship that purpose was not to stop sail, but to cause
largest number of fatalities to prevent future initiatives'
MK Anastassia
Michaeli (Yisrael Beiteinu) chased Zoabi in an attempt to keep
her from speaking, and a fight broke out at the podium. Other
MKs tried to separate between the two women, and eventually
Michaeli was removed from the hall.
Each MK
was allotted one minute to speak, but Zoabi took longer because
of the many disruptions by other MKs present. When Knesset Speaker
Reuven Rivlin asked her to descend from the podium she refused,
and also had to be physically removed.
MK Jamal
Zahalka (Balad) was also one of the MKs forced out of the debate.
Zahalka said that the entire world condemns the IDF raid on
the flotilla to Gaza.
"I want
to call for the release of leaders of the Arab public," he told
the plenum before his removal, referring to Sheikh Raed Salah
and others who were arrested for taking part in the sail. "MK
Zoabi deserves an award. She fulfilled her duty."
MK Yoel
Hasson (Kadima) intervened and said, "She deserves an award
from Hamas!" He was also removed from the debate.
A heated
debate took place before the speeches as well. "Zoabi is party
to a double crime -- joining terrorists and a moral crime against
the State of Israel," she said during a heated Knesset session
Wednesday. "She must be punished. We don't need Trojan horses
in the Knesset." MK Miri Regev (Likud) even shouted at Zoabi
in Arabic, "Go to Gaza, traitor."
"She (Zoabi)
stood here over a year ago and pledged her allegiance to the
State of Israel and its laws. My intention is not to harm freedom
of speech -- but in MK Zoabi's case -- this isn't freedom of
speech. The sail to Gaza was a sail of terror. Zoabi must be
punished. We don't need Trojan horses in the Knesset," Regev
said.
MK Yohanan
Plesner (Kadima) also told Zoabi to visit the Strip. "I just
wish you would go to Gaza for at lease a week and then we'll
see how you talk about women's rights and civil rights. Just
one week, and we'll see what happens. One week in Gaza as a
38-year old single woman and we'll see how they treat you! You
are the last person capable of preaching morals to us," he cried
out.
Rightist
lawmaker Moshe Mutz Matalon (Yisrael Beitenu) told Zoabi, "Nice
work. In one day you've managed to accomplish what the treacherous
people around you have been trying to do for years. Unfortunately,
the (commando) fighters (who raided the aid flotilla) acted
with too much restraint. They left only nine floating voters."
MK Nachman
Shai's (Kadima) attack on Zoabi was a bit more refrained. "I
respect democracy, but an MK cannot participate in such a journey,
which is against the law and deifies the country that is mine
just as much as it is yours.
"I respect
your opinions, but it was wrong of you to stand on that ship's
deck. It's unacceptable," he added.
Next to
speak was Hadash chairman Mohammad Barakeh. "We stand by our
colleague MK Zoabi and consider her actions noble, as they were
meant to lift the siege off of an entire nation."
Rightist
MKs interrupted the Arab lawmaker's speech with calls of "Enemies.
Enemies. Shame on you." Barakeh responded by saying, "You are
trying to justify the cold-blooded murder of protestors. The
responsibility does not lie with the soldiers, but with those
who organized this crime -- mainly Netanyahu and Barak.
"I am holding
the political echelon responsible. Not one country is taking
Israel's side in this crime. You are swimming against the entire
world. You are hurting your own nation," said Barakeh.
"Η ΚΑΛΥΤΕΡΗ ΘΕΣΗ ΕΝΑΝΤΙΑ ΣΤΟΝ ΕΧΘΡΟ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΑΥΤΗ ΠΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΚΑΝΕΙ
ΤΗΝ ΜΕΓΑΛΥΤΕΡΗ ΖΗΜΙΑ"
"ΟΤΙ ΔΕΝ ΚΑΤΑΦΕΡΕΙ ΝΑ ΣΕ ΣΚΟΤΩΣΕΙ ΣΕ ΚΑΝΕΙ ΠΙΟ ΔΥΝΑΤΟ"
"Η ΜΕΓΑΛΥΤΕΡΗ ΤΙΜΗ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΝΑ ΠΟΛΕΜΑΣ ΜΟΝΟΣ ΓΙΑ ΤΟΥΣ ΠΡΟΓΟΝΟΥΣ
ΚΑΙ ΤΟΥΣ ΘΕΟΥΣ ΣΟΥ"