Israel is a highly democratic country, where the minority non-Jewish population has significant rights and representation in the Knesset. But, the precise role and responsibility of these non-Jewish Arab members of the Knesset is hotly contested, with the issue taking center stage today.
MK Hanin Zoabi was largely unheard of in the rest of the world, but she was a well known figure in Arab circles where she represented their concerns in the Knesset. As part of her advocacy and representation, she took part in the Gaza-bound flotilla, which has been characterized as a ruse for terrorist activity. The organizers of the flotilla had terrorist ties, the activists planned violence against Israeli soldiers and at least one of the ships carried weapons, such as stun grenades.
In the wake of Zoabi’s participation in that anti-Israel and pro-terror event, a Knesset panel decided to strip Zoabi of her diplomatic passport and deprived her of funds for legal expenses. In exchange, one Israeli MK handed her an Iranian passport as indicative of her support for anti-Israel activities that could doom the existence of the Jewish state. The move was quickly wielded by at least one MK to signal her ouster as representative due to her participation.
The attack on Zoabi is not an outlying issue. Some MKs, and notably Foreign Minister Avigdor Leiberman, have pressed for an oath of office that would declare allegiance to the State of Israel.
Zoabi is a member of the Balad party, which is an Arab political movement opposed to settlements in the West Bank and the naval blockade of the Gaza Strip.
Zoabi and other Arab MKs should not be stripped of rights for their views or dismissed and discounted based on their political beliefs. No Israeli citizen, regardless of their views either for or against certain Israeli policies, should face government retribution aimed at penalizing people for their opinions. Luckily, that isn’t what happened in this care, although the Knesset is marching down a slippery slope that could cross that line in the very near future.
By participating in the Gaza -bound flotilla, Zoabi colluded with a terrorist group. Just like in the United States, support for a terrorist organization is illegal and should not be tolerated. Zoabi’s opposition to the Gaza blockade or settlements did not result in the removal of some of her privileges, direct support and advocacy for terror-linked activities was.
However, recent movements to monitor the opinions and views of minority opinions remains concerning, especially if the activity becomes an inquisition against Arab MKs and their supporters. Instead of targeting an MK, even though that lawmaker definitively acted inappropriately, the Knesset should focus on more substantive issues that could help resolve the underlying problem — an inability for Israel and the Palestinians to reach an agreement that promotes Israeli security and guarantees Palestinian sovereignty. The Knesset’s actions toward Zoabi fuel tension and further foster an inaccurate perception that Israel oppresses rights and stifles dissent.
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