From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Odeh speaks in Arabic at Knesset panel on his potential impeachment; far-right MK: ‘Terrorist’
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"
Likud MK Tally Gotliv and other coalition lawmakers yell at Hadash-Ta’al leader Ayman Odeh after he begins speaking in Arabic during a hearing discussing his potential impeachment.
“Don’t speak Arabic,” yells Gotliv. “Terrorist,” shouts far-right Otzma Yehudit MK Limor Son Har-Melech.
In response, Odeh rails against the “fascist right” which, he says, is curtailing freedom of speech in Israel, while Ra’am MK Waleed Taha yells at Otzma Yehudit’s Yitzhak Kroizer, accusing him of supporting terrorism.
Today’s hearing is to determine whether or not to impeach Odeh for a statement he made appearing to equate Israeli hostages held in Gaza with Palestinian security prisoners.
There is no legal bar to addressing the Knesset in Arabic, which Arab lawmakers sometimes do in order to send messages to their constituents. However, there may be a comprehension issue for participants in the panel.
Coalition lawmakers scream at Hadash-Ta’al chief Ayman Odeh not to speak in Arabic during a hearing on his potential impeachment pic.twitter.com/bHi8AewMse
— Sam Sokol (@SamuelSokol) June 24, 2025
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