Israel’s Arab Parties Ejected from the Knesset when US Vice President Pence Speaks
Welcome to Israeli democracy. When the 13 Arab members of the Joint List held up posters and placards as Trumps Vice Presidence Pence spoke, they were unceremoniously ejected. Thus 20% of Israel’s population were removed at one go. This is Israeli democracy in action.
As Ha’aretz noted, not one member of the opposition – be they Israeli Labour Party or Meretz stood with them or to protest. This is the shocking racism of Zionisn
Analysis
Removal of Arab Lawmakers During Pence’s Speech: A Sad Moment for Israeli Democracy
The brutal removal of Arab MKs to the applause from the
remaining lawmakers symbolizes the removal of 20 percent of the
population living here from the circle of citizens
remaining lawmakers symbolizes the removal of 20 percent of the
population living here from the circle of citizens
The choice is tough – asylum seekers, who are
already hiding in attics, will be seen being taken away on deportation
flights – but the expulsion from the Knesset plenum of Joint List MKs
during U.S. Vice President Mike Pence’s speech on Monday is surely a
worthy candidate among the parade of the most repulsive and saddest
images ever produced by the Middle East’s sole thriving democracy.
already hiding in attics, will be seen being taken away on deportation
flights – but the expulsion from the Knesset plenum of Joint List MKs
during U.S. Vice President Mike Pence’s speech on Monday is surely a
worthy candidate among the parade of the most repulsive and saddest
images ever produced by the Middle East’s sole thriving democracy.
It’s not only the disproportional assault by the Knesset Guard, as if someone from the Joint List had pulled out a submachine gun rather than a flimsy poster. Or what followed,
when a fool like Likud MK Oren Hazan freely curses and defiles the
Knesset with utterances like “I’ll kick you,” and “If you don’t have
money for a flight, I’ll buy you a ticket we’ll throw you out of here” –
which he yelled at MK Jamal Zahalka. It is mainly the smug faces, the
sheer enjoyment flooding Benjamin Netanyahu and his clan of right-wing
sycophants. It is the smiles of Zeev Elkin, Naftali Bennett and Gilad
Erdan.
when a fool like Likud MK Oren Hazan freely curses and defiles the
Knesset with utterances like “I’ll kick you,” and “If you don’t have
money for a flight, I’ll buy you a ticket we’ll throw you out of here” –
which he yelled at MK Jamal Zahalka. It is mainly the smug faces, the
sheer enjoyment flooding Benjamin Netanyahu and his clan of right-wing
sycophants. It is the smiles of Zeev Elkin, Naftali Bennett and Gilad
Erdan.
It is the rousing applause in the hall. What an achievement, what a pleasure: The Knesset is rid of Arabs.
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| Arab Israeli lawmakers escorted out of Pence speechHaaretz |
This
is the essence of Israel, its true face in the harsh sunlight of the
Middle East. Joint List lawmakers get thrown out of the plenum because
of a nonviolent and not especially rude protest. The audience’s
enthusiasm is particularly sad. And the content of the protest signs is
irrelevant. A parliament in a democratic state is exactly the place for
things like stormy debates over controversial issues.
is the essence of Israel, its true face in the harsh sunlight of the
Middle East. Joint List lawmakers get thrown out of the plenum because
of a nonviolent and not especially rude protest. The audience’s
enthusiasm is particularly sad. And the content of the protest signs is
irrelevant. A parliament in a democratic state is exactly the place for
things like stormy debates over controversial issues.
The brutal removal of Arab MKs to the sounds of applause from the remaining lawmakers symbolizes the removal of 20 percent of the population living here
from the circle of citizens, to the cheers of the Jewish majority. It
is the removal from within the family of human beings of people who
deserve full rights, among them political rights and the right to
protest.
from the circle of citizens, to the cheers of the Jewish majority. It
is the removal from within the family of human beings of people who
deserve full rights, among them political rights and the right to
protest.
Removal
of Arab MKs from the Knesset plenum is also a symbol of the idea of
segregation being brought out of the cellars of the capital into the
light of the Knesset. Such a notion divides the population into people
who are 100 percent human and those who are only 50 or 75 percent human,
who should be happy to have a newly paved road in their village, a
fixed sewage pipe or a refurbished health clinic. For people who are
only 50 or 75 percent human must suffice with eating, drinking and
sleeping. Having a political opinion – let alone expressing it – is a
privilege reserved only for those who are 100 percent human – the Jews.
of Arab MKs from the Knesset plenum is also a symbol of the idea of
segregation being brought out of the cellars of the capital into the
light of the Knesset. Such a notion divides the population into people
who are 100 percent human and those who are only 50 or 75 percent human,
who should be happy to have a newly paved road in their village, a
fixed sewage pipe or a refurbished health clinic. For people who are
only 50 or 75 percent human must suffice with eating, drinking and
sleeping. Having a political opinion – let alone expressing it – is a
privilege reserved only for those who are 100 percent human – the Jews.
And
that’s the parliament in the Middle East’s only democracy for you. An
exemplary country, the light unto the nations. There is such great joy.
The Knesset is rid of Arabs.
that’s the parliament in the Middle East’s only democracy for you. An
exemplary country, the light unto the nations. There is such great joy.
The Knesset is rid of Arabs.