Odeh says Netanyahu trying to ‘spark a civil war’

Israel’s top Arab lawmaker accuses Netanyahu of trying to “spark a civil war” by inciting against his community.

Netanyahu has stepped up his rhetoric against the possibility of Blue and White chief Benny Gantz forming a minority government backed by Israel’s Arab-led Knesset factions, in what some view as the beginning of a new potential election campaign. Yesterday, the premier held a rally during which he said a minority government backed by the Joint List would be a “terror attack.”

“Netanyahu’s speech wasn’t the beginning of a campaign — it was an attempt to spark a civil war,” Joint List leader Ayman Odeh says in a statement. “There has never been a prime minister who gained so much from division, hate and racism. The more Jews and Arabs hate each other, the more he gains. His only hope is our despair.

“We won’t let him fan the flames of hate. The civil war named after Benjamin Netanyahu will not break out. This is our time, Arabs and Jews, to show him that his time is over and that incitement won’t stand.

“It is time for courage. Let’s show him how strong we are together.”

Netanyhu’s speech wasn’t a campaign kickoff – it was an attempt to incite a civil war.

This is our chance, Palestinian Arabs and Jews, to show him that his time is up and his incitement will not pass. This is time for bravery.

Lets show him how strong we are together. pic.twitter.com/RbUmTWV5sb

— איימן עודה أيمن عودة Ayman Odeh (@AyOdeh) November 18, 2019

— Michael Bachner