Knesset Member Refuses to Label Hamas a Terror Group on Air

A heated exchange occurred during a radio interview on Thursday when Knesset Member Sami Abu Shehadeh, representing the Balad party within the Joint List, was repeatedly pressed by interviewer Ran Ben-Yamin on Kan Radio's "HaBoker HaZeh" program to define Hamas as a terror organization.

Ben-Yamin persistently asked Abu Shehadeh if Hamas is a terror organization. The MK avoided a direct answer, stating instead, "I say that what was done on October 7th were crimes, a massacre, atrocities that I oppose. They were carried out by an organization I oppose, and I do not accept its policies or its activities."

Unsatisfied, Ben-Yamin demanded a clear statement: "Say the words, repeat after me: terror organization. Why is this so difficult?"

Abu Shehadeh responded by criticizing the interviewer's style, comparing it to how one might address a first-grader. "This is what you do with your child in first grade. I ask that even when it's hard for me to hear you, I at least respect you. Go repeat after me, tell your child in kindergarten, you don't address a political leader this way."

Ben-Yamin concluded the interview by stating, "Even a child in kindergarten understands that Hamas is a terror organization."