Palestinian in Knesset: Zionist left most brutal, calls for war crimes tribunal

Palestinian in Knesset: Zionist left most brutal, calls for war crimes tribunal

Amin Abu Wardeh – When United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights, Richard Falk suggested a war crimes tribunal for Israeli leaders because of the siege, they denied him entry. That was before the air and now ground campaigns that have killed 500 Palestinians in just over a week. Another call is coming from inside the Israeli Knesset. Palestinian member and head of the National Democratic Alliance, Dr. Jamal Zahalka, is leading the charge to expose the "so-called left." He said today, "The hands of the leadership of the Kadima and the Labor parties are stained with the blood of our people. Experience has shown that the Zionist left is the most brutal and is inclined to wage wars of aggression." Other members of the Israeli Knesset have often called for the expulsion of all Palestinians, not just from the Israeli government organ, but from all of historic Palestine. The most recent call for dismissal from the Knesset came days ago when Palestinian member Dr. Ahmed Tibi was among those referred to as a spokesperson for the Hamas political leadership. Dr. Zahalka said on Sunday, “We have begun practical steps to take the Israeli leadership for international prosecution for war crimes. The charge is fixed by the world as it has seen the killing of children, women and the elderly, and the destruction of infrastructure, while the entirety of the people is kept in a prison.” Of Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak who is campaigning by ordering more attacks, Dr. Zahalka says, “Barak wants to build political glory with the bodies of our people in Gaza. And if Livni is seeking to increase strength according to the death toll of Palestinians, we are going to do everything we can to stop them.” He said that it was not an option to watch as “votes are exchanged for Palestinian blood.” Zahalka said, "On this basis, the assembly will not be part of the bloc of the so-called ‘left’ and ‘center’ that now has 50 members in the Knesset. They need 10 other members to form a bloc to prevent the return of the Likud government. We say that we are not joining and we will vote against Livni and against the government of Netanyahu.” The Palestinian member of Knesset called on all Arab parties to take the same position to put real pressure on the coalition government which launched this war against Gaza.