Arab Israeli Lawmaker Defends Peaceful Stance Amid Knesset Expulsion Bid
Arab Israeli lawmaker Yousef Jabareen, known as Abu Shehadeh, has responded to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's push to expel him from the Knesset, calling the move "absurd" and asserting his political path is peaceful. Jabareen argued that Ben-Gvir's attempt to remove him ignores decades of his non-violent political activism for Palestinian rights, freedom, justice, and equality. He contrasted his own record with Ben-Gvir's, citing convictions for inciting racism and supporting a terrorist organization, and what he described as Ben-Gvir's long association with racist policies.
Jabareen reiterated his stance on the Gaza conflict, stating his opposition to "crimes" in the Strip has been consistent since October 7th, expressed through articles, interviews, and speeches in multiple languages. He clarified that while he would not have published an article if he had fully grasped the extent of the atrocities at the time, his humanitarian position, as stated in a tweet, rejects harming any human, whether Palestinian or Israeli. He condemned the October 7th attacks against Israelis as well as the subsequent harm to civilians in Gaza.
He emphasized that his opposition to harming Israeli civilians, alongside his condemnation of mass killings and destruction targeting Palestinians, stems from the same humanitarian and ethical principles. Jabareen stressed that he has never advocated for violence, nor has he supported or justified the October 7th events. His opposition to the occupation and war, and his support for Palestinian rights, do not equate to endorsing violence or armed struggle, he stated.
Jabareen concluded by reaffirming that his political journey, focused on peaceful political and public activism for freedom, justice, and equality while upholding human life and dignity, is one he has followed for decades and will continue, despite the ongoing controversy surrounding the proposal to disqualify him from running for the Knesset.
