MK Touma-Sliman: ‘We are facing a political reality that should frighten everyone’

MK Aida Touma-Sliman says that the new political reality in the wake of the election should be “frightening for everyone,” and that a period of soul-searching is necessary.

“We are facing a political reality that should be frightening for everyone,” says the lawmaker, whose Hadash-Ta’al party appears set to secure five seats.

“It is a reality in which we have a right wing, and not just the usual ‘classic’ right that we know, but a right wing willing to use violence, wild incitement and deep racism. This reality should be a warning point for everyone,” she tells the Ynet news site.

“Whoever talks about [far-right MK Itamar] Ben Gvir possibly having become more moderate, is trying to bury their head in the sand and not confront reality,” she says.

“There must be a soul-searching and we must seriously examine the results and their political consequences,” she said.

Last week Touma-Sliman referred to five members of a Palestinian terror group, including its leader, who were killed in an IDF operation as “martyrs” and asserted that their “resistance” was a response to “the occupation.” Her statements met with a round of criticism.

Touma-Silman has made similar inflammatory statements in the past, and was threatened with sanctions after altering her Knesset swearing-in statement last year to include a vow to “fight against the occupation.”

Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc is projected to win 65 seats, giving the former prime minister a comfortable majority to form a government in the 120-seat Knesset with far-right and Haredi allies, including extremist Ben Gvir.