Peace Now head urges investigation into Knesset members' racist incitement

After Tel Aviv anti-migrant protest, Yariv Oppenheimer cautions AG that speeches will lead to more violence

The general director of Peace Now urged Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein to open a criminal investigation into the actions of three members of the Knesset who made speeches at Wednesday’s protest against illegal immigrants in Tel Aviv.

In a letter penned late Wednesday night, Yariv Oppenheimer argued that MKs Miri Regev (Likud), Danny Danon (Likud) and Michael Ben-Ari (National Union) were inciting racism and violence. In her speech to protesters in South Tel Aviv’s Hatikva neighborhood, Regev made comments like “the Sudanese are a cancer in our body.”

Oppenheimer said that the legislators’ immunity to criminal prosecution should be removed, reported Walla News.

He further cautioned that the current atmosphere against African migrants is “unusual and dangerous,” and that unless decisive action is taken by law enforcement, “speeches and slander will translate into harm to human life.”

Twelve people were arrested Wednesday on suspicion of attacking foreigners during the protest.

Peace Now is a non-profit that promotes a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The organization also tackles other social issues in Israel, including racism.