Hanin Zoabi reprimanded by Knesset

Arab Member of the Kneset Hanin Zoabi has been reprimanded by the Knesset Ethics Committee after she said activists killed on the Mavi Marmara Freedom Flotilla were “murdered”, Quds Press reported.

Zoabi’s comments were made during a debate on 29 June regarding the Turkish-Israeli reconciliation. She had demanded the government issue an apology both to the “political activists” aboard the Mavi Marmara, on which she sailed in solidarity, and to herself, from those who “incited against [her] for six years.”

Zoabi said that the Turkish activists on board the ship were “murdered”, which is why Israel agreed in its reconciliation with Turkey to pay their families.

MK Oren Hazan, from the Likud party, was also severely reprimanded after he told Zoabi to “go to Gaza… you are the image of evil and hatred,” and “we will throw you out of here.” The committee said his words were inappropriate and meant to humiliate her.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked the government’s legal advisor to accelerate measures to expel Zoabi from the Knesset.

“Zoabi crossed all redlines with her actions and lies,” Netanyahu said, “there is no place for her in the Knesset.”

Last week, the Israeli Knesset approved a bill allowing MKs to expel their colleagues on the grounds of incitement against the state or supporting organisations which resist Israel.

Arab MKs said that this bill was aimed at them as any criticism of Israel could be deemed as incitement.