Muhammed Barakeh, an Israeli-Arab Knesset Member who even serves as one of several Deputy Knesset Speakers, has asked to testify against Israel in the upcoming partition wall "trial" in the Hague. The MK says he will reveal Israel's "war crimes."
The Knesset website shows that Barakeh graduated high school, and though he attended college - he was Chairman of the Arab Student Committee in Tel Aviv University - he apparently never graduated. A member of the Communist Party, his profession is listed as "General Secretary, Hadash Movement." He is now in his second term as a Member of Israel's Parliament.
Maariv reports that Barakeh sent a letter to The Hague Court on official Knesset stationery, writing about the "ghettos" in which Israel has "[placed] hundreds of thousands of Palestinians," and decrying the "separation wall built on the occupied land of the Palestinian nation." The Arab Knesset Member also states that Israel uses the fence to prevent the PA residents from "[accessing] basic services such as hospitals and schools." "The purpose of this plan is not [as the government states - ed. note] to provide security for Israel's citizens," Barakeh writes, "but to embitter the Palestinians' lives in the hope that they will move east. This is a policy of creeping transfer."
The Hague has been asked to prepare a legal opinion on the partition fence. Israel has long claimed that the purpose of the fence is to prevent continuing mass suicide terror attacks in Israeli cities, and that it is not meant to determine final borders. The Hague is not expected to adopt Israel's position.
Barakeh's letter to The Hague has aroused Knesset condemnation across the board. Deputy Defense Minister Ze'ev Boim (Likud) says he will ask for a suspension of Barakeh's parliamentary immunity in order that he be put on trial for treason. "This is a disgraceful act, showing that Barakeh is a supporter of terrorism and a collaborator with the enemy."
MK Michael Eitan, also of the Likud, said that Barakeh should be suspended from his position as Deputy Knesset Speaker. "By enlisting in the cause of Israel's enemies, while using the symbols of the State of Israel and with his title of Deputy Knesset Speaker, Barakeh is spitting in the face of the Knesset and the State," Eitan said.
Even Meretz MK Avshalom Vilan said that Barakeh's act was a "crossing of all red lines."
The Knesset website shows that Barakeh graduated high school, and though he attended college - he was Chairman of the Arab Student Committee in Tel Aviv University - he apparently never graduated. A member of the Communist Party, his profession is listed as "General Secretary, Hadash Movement." He is now in his second term as a Member of Israel's Parliament.
Maariv reports that Barakeh sent a letter to The Hague Court on official Knesset stationery, writing about the "ghettos" in which Israel has "[placed] hundreds of thousands of Palestinians," and decrying the "separation wall built on the occupied land of the Palestinian nation." The Arab Knesset Member also states that Israel uses the fence to prevent the PA residents from "[accessing] basic services such as hospitals and schools." "The purpose of this plan is not [as the government states - ed. note] to provide security for Israel's citizens," Barakeh writes, "but to embitter the Palestinians' lives in the hope that they will move east. This is a policy of creeping transfer."
The Hague has been asked to prepare a legal opinion on the partition fence. Israel has long claimed that the purpose of the fence is to prevent continuing mass suicide terror attacks in Israeli cities, and that it is not meant to determine final borders. The Hague is not expected to adopt Israel's position.
Barakeh's letter to The Hague has aroused Knesset condemnation across the board. Deputy Defense Minister Ze'ev Boim (Likud) says he will ask for a suspension of Barakeh's parliamentary immunity in order that he be put on trial for treason. "This is a disgraceful act, showing that Barakeh is a supporter of terrorism and a collaborator with the enemy."
MK Michael Eitan, also of the Likud, said that Barakeh should be suspended from his position as Deputy Knesset Speaker. "By enlisting in the cause of Israel's enemies, while using the symbols of the State of Israel and with his title of Deputy Knesset Speaker, Barakeh is spitting in the face of the Knesset and the State," Eitan said.
Even Meretz MK Avshalom Vilan said that Barakeh's act was a "crossing of all red lines."