MK Yoav Kisch
MK Yoav KischPhoto: EJA

Likud lawmaker Yoav Kisch penned a letter to Interior Minister Aryeh Deri asking him to ban Deputy Haifa Mayor Raja Za’atara from taking office.

Kisch's letter comes as the backlash to Za'atara's appointment continues to grow. Za'tara, a member of the communist Hadash party, has founded a BDS organization in the past and posted messages of support for the Hezbollah terror militia on Facebook.

"I call upon the interior minister to announce today that he will reject the request of Haifa Mayor Einat Kalish Rotem and not approve the salary of the deputy mayor of the fifth city, Raja Za'atara," wrote Kisch.

"I believe that you have the power to completely prevent the appointment of an anti-Israel terror supporter."

According to Israeli law, Za'atar's salary needs the approval of the interior minister.

Haifa Mayor Einat Kalisch Rotem has aroused a storm of controversy after announcing that she appoint Za'atara to the city's second-highest post.

Following the appointment, MK Oded Forer (Yisrael Beytenu) submitted a bill that would disqualify a public representative who supports an armed struggle against the State of Israel. "After I managed to prevent (Joint List MKs) Hanin Zoabi and Jamal Zahalka Next, we will also bring about the removal of terror supporters in the local government," said Forer.

"In light of the reports that the new deputy mayor of Haifa issued calls to support Hezbollah, boycotting Israel and acting against the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, we will change the law so that it will not only prevent him and his ilk from running, but will also empower the interior minister to fire a council member who acts against the state Israel," Forer vowed.