Member of the Israeli Knesset (Parliament) Ofer Cassif (French)

The parliamentary committee in the Israeli Knesset voted, on Tuesday, in favor of removing Representative Ofer Kassif, a member of the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality party, for supporting South Africa’s lawsuit against Israel in the International Court of Justice.

The Knesset said in a written statement, “The committee vote was taken at the end of a heated debate that lasted over the course of Monday and Tuesday. 14 members supported the request, and two voted against it (Ahmed Tibi and Walid Taha).”

The decision will be referred to the Knesset General Assembly for a vote, which requires a majority of 90 members for approval,” without specifying a date for that.

For his part, Chairman of the Knesset Parliamentary Committee, Ofir Katz, attacked MP Kasif and said in a statement, “This is not freedom of expression, this is treason without paying a price for it.”

As for Arab MP Ahmed Tibi, he said during deliberations on Tuesday, “The incident involving Kasif will set a precedent, and there are those who are pushing for this in order to dismiss all Arab members of the Knesset.”

Al-Tibi added, "I am sure that the Supreme Court will take into account these statements and the actions of the committee members."

He continued, directing his words to the members of the committee, “Knesset member Cassif will remain despite your notice, even if his membership is canceled by 90 Knesset members, according to the position presented by the two judicial advisors, the Supreme Court will overturn the decision.”

Tibi was surprised by the support of the "National Unity" Party, headed by Benny Gantz, and the "There is a Future" Party, headed by Yair Lapid, for the request for dismissal.

It is noteworthy that the Knesset Parliamentary Committee is concerned with the Constitution of the Knesset and the affairs emanating from it, the immunity of members and requests to remove it.

Parliamentary investigative committees are appointed by the full Knesset to address topics considered to be of particular national importance. From May 1951 until 2024, the Knesset appointed 15 parliamentary investigative committees.

Petition against Israel before the International Court of Justice

On January 8, Kasif announced his joining the lawsuit filed by the State of South Africa against Israel before the International Court of Justice in The Hague, accusing Benjamin Netanyahu's government of calling for "ethnic cleansing" and genocide in its war on the Gaza Strip.

Kasif signed a petition submitted to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, which included more than 200 Israelis supporting South Africa’s lawsuit against Tel Aviv.

The lawsuit stated, “The materials appearing in the lawsuit are horrific and credible. Israel is already taking systematic and precise measures to eliminate, starve, torture, and displace the residents of Gaza, and is implementing a policy of erasing livelihood options, leading to the systematic killing of large segments of the population, senior academics, writers, and doctors.” "Medical staff, journalists and ordinary citizens."

The lawsuit added, "In light of the above, we would like to add our voice to the claims contained in the statement of claim submitted by South Africa to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, in the hope that our voice will help reach a solution that will bring an immediate end to the war."

After signing the lawsuit, Kassif wrote a post on his account on the

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry Please do not hesitate to contact us. Here we go again ג, לא אני וחבריי.

I don't know what to do, I don't know what to do More… pic.twitter.com/POosMoQQWN

- Ofer Cassif עופר כסיף Ofer Cassif (@ofercass) January 7, 2024

Cassif added, "They harmed the country and the people, and they were the ones who led South Africa to seek refuge in The Hague, not me and my friends. When the government works against society, the state, and its citizens, especially when it sacrifices them, and commits crimes in their name on the altar of preserving its existence, it is my right and even my duty to beware." "And I will do everything I can within the framework of the law to stop this."

Because of his statements against Israel during the war, the Ethics Committee decided on October 18 to remove Kassif from the Knesset for 45 days and deprive him of his salary for two weeks.

Kasif participated in several demonstrations in Tel Aviv demanding an immediate halt to the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip and the liberation of the hostages according to an exchange agreement. He also demanded an end to the occupation.

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Here's what you need to know

ע-כ-ש-י-ו! pic.twitter.com/zVhLzByOGT

- Ofer Cassif עופר כסיף Ofer Cassif (@ofercass) January 6, 2024

Please do not hesitate to contact us.


Here's what's going on, what's wrong with me? Read more. pic.twitter.com/pY5QMBsuwD

- Ofer Cassif עופר כסיף Ofer Cassif (@ofercass) December 23, 2023

On December 29, South Africa filed a lawsuit before the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of committing “genocide crimes” in the Gaza Strip, before the court announced, last Friday, its rejection of Israel’s demands to drop the lawsuit, and temporarily ruled to oblige Tel Aviv. "With measures to stop the genocide and bring in humanitarian aid."

Source: Al Jazeera + Anatolia + social networking sites