From the Liveblog of
Monday, November 11, 2024
After suspension, MK Cassif defends criticism of IDF as ‘well-founded statements’
Sam Sokol is the Times of Israel's political correspondent. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
MK Ofer Cassif defends comments he made about the IDF and Israel’s war in Gaza over which the Knesset Ethics Committee voted today to suspend him for six months.
“My political statements against the occupation, ethnic cleansing, war crimes and genocide committed by the Israeli government in Gaza – witnessed by the entire world – are well-founded statements protected under the freedom of political expression,” Cassif says in a statement.
“My punishment is a continuation of the political persecution of opponents of the war and critics of [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu’s bloody rule,” Cassif asserts, adding that he is “proud to be a partner of the good people who are persecuted by this evil government.”
“I will not be silent and will continue to fight for the end of the war, the return of the hostages, the end of the occupation and the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel — for peace, equality and justice for both nations,” he adds.
Cassif had declined to appear before the Ethics Committee when invited to do so to defend himself.
The Times of Israel Community.