Palestinian MK tossed out of Israeli Knesset session

[ProgressiveMuslim]

Date: 29 / 12 / 2008 Time: 12:14


Muhammad Baraka
Jerusalem – Ma’an – Tempers flared at Israel’s parliament building in Jerusalem on Monday as rightist members of the Knesset one after another made inciting statements against Palestinians.

In response, one of the few Palestinian members of the Knesset, Muhammad Baraka, began a heated argument with several of the rightists in the room, causing the parliament’s speaker to expel Baraka from the session.

Opposition leader Benjamin Natenyahu was the first to offend moderate elements in the room through his vocal support for an aggressive and “bloody” operation against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, applauding atrocities committed by the Israeli army there.

Baraka, unable to restrain himself, told Netanyahu to “shut up and stop dancing over shed blood.”

Immediately, another member Netanyahu’s Likud Party, Gilad Arden, told Baraka to “go to Gaza,” causing the latter to answer, “Of course I would go to show solidarity with my people.”

Another rightist member of the Knesset, Avigdor Liberman, said to Baraka, “Go there and don’t come back.” Baraka fired back, “I and my people will remain a thorn in your and your likes’ throat.”

Following that comment, Knesset Speaker Dalia Itsik ordered Baraka out of the session. On his way out, an extreme rightist Member of Knesset Ardan said to Baraka, “You are a racist.” Baraka replied, “you are a shoe.”

Following that comment, Knesset Member Auri Ariel told Baraka in a challenging manner, “Hit him with your shoe.” Baraka apparently started to oblige, removing his shoe, before Israeli Knesset security removed him from the building.

http://maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=34366

[THUNDER HANDS]

1. well

its good to see the Israeli congress is taking the matter seriously, discussing the issue in a mature and reasonable manner.

:eyes:

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. And how do these actions help the matter?

It seems that all it shows is a lack of desire to sit down and work with duly elected leaders of the opposition.

Am I correct in assuming that the majority of the Knesset consists of far right politicians?

[LeftishBrit]

3. Knesset composition is very mixed

According to the latest info I could find:

*Kadima* (ruling party; too right for me, but not the worst): 29 seats


*Right-wing non-religious parties*:

Likud (mainstream right-wing party, headed by Netanyahu): 12 seats

Yisrael Beitanu (far-right): 11 seats


*Religious parties*

Shas: 12 seats

National Religious Party: 9 seats

United Torah Judaism: 6 seats



*Left and centre-left*

Labor-Meimad; 19 seats

Meretz: (probably closest to representing 'peace camp'): 5 seats

Hadash: (left-wing, predominantly Arab party): 3 seats



*Arab parties*

United Arab List: 4 seats

Balad: 3 seats


*Other*

Gil (represents interests of pensioners; I've no idea of their views on other issues): 7 seats.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. thanks for this

I think it is important to look at the breakdown of parties in the Knesset to be better able to understand what is going on there. Interesting that the peace party is so small.

[ProgressiveMuslim]

4. It is certainly illustrative of the deep emotions this massacre has raised

even among politicians in Israel, not to mention the occupied territories and the rest of the Arab world.

If the gov't of Israel was expecting a free pass for this round of killing, they were sadly mistaken.

[High Plains]

6. Fucking racist Likud pigs. They should reap what they sow.

[IndianaGreen]

7. Mr. Baraka is an Israeli Arab, NOT a Palestinian

And Avigdor Lieberman is a racist crypto-nazi.