Hadash-Ta’al MK removed from Knesset plenum after Likud’s Gotliv tries to stop him from speaking Arabic

Likud MK Tally Gotliv tries to prevent United Arab List MK Waleed Taha from speaking in Arabic during a parliamentary debate ahead of a vote to expel Hadash-Ta’al chairman Ayman Odeh from the Knesset.

Gotliv repeatedly interrupts Taha’s speech, screaming that he should not be speaking Arabic.

She then attempts to silence Hadash-Ta’al MK Samir Abu Said, when he speaks in Arabic as well, entering an extended shouting match with Arab MKs.

Abu Said yells back at Gotliv, sparking a verbal confrontation with Deputy Knesset Speaker Erez Mallul (Shas), and is physically removed from the Knesset rostrum.

Despite her repeated interruptions, Gotliv, who makes a crying motion at Abu Said as he tries to continue speaking, is not removed from the chamber.

Debates in the Knesset plenum are conducted in Hebrew, but members may speak Arabic, as both Hebrew and Arabic are official languages of the state. Simultaneous translation is available.

Gotliv and other coalition lawmakers also yelled at Odeh last month when he attempted to speak Arabic during a hearing discussing his potential impeachment.

“Don’t speak Arabic,” Gotliv yelled at the time. “Terrorist,” shouted far-right Otzma Yehudit MK Limor Son Har-Melech.

In response, Odeh railed against the “fascist right,” which he said is curtailing freedom of speech in Israel.