Arab Israeli Lawmaker Calls Hamas a Charity, Sparks Outrage
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Member of Knesset Yasser Hegrat of the Ra'am party caused controversy by calling Hamas a "charity organization" in an interview and refusing to label it a terrorist group. The Likud party strongly criticized Hegrat's remarks, warning against a government coalition with Arab parties holding such views. Hegrat's comments were made around the three-year anniversary of the Hamas attack on Gaza border communities, with no public commemoration from his party.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- MK Yasser Hegrat stated Hamas is partly a "charity organization" and seeks state recognition.
- The Likud party condemned Hegrat's remarks, warning of government coalitions with Arab parties.
- Hegrat refused to explicitly call Hamas a terrorist organization in a recent interview.
- His comments were made near the anniversary of the Hamas attack on Gaza border communities.
- Ra'am and the Joint List did not publicly commemorate the victims of the Hamas attack.
Member of Knesset Yasser Hegrat of the Ra'am party has ignited a political firestorm after refusing to label Hamas as a terrorist organization in a recent interview. Hegrat stated that Hamas is, in part, a "charity organization" and that another part seeks recognition as a state. He further questioned the distinction between sides when casualties occur, drawing parallels between conflicting parties.
The remarks drew sharp condemnation from the Likud party, which warned of the implications of forming a government with Arab parties that hold such views. Likud characterized the upcoming elections as a critical choice between the right-wing and "Palestine," asserting that certain factions would form a government with Arab parties that describe the "murderous terrorist organization" as a charity.
Hegrat's comments come three years after Hamas's deadly attack on Gaza border communities. A review by C14 found no public statements from Ra'am, the Joint List, or their senior officials commemorating the victims or expressing solidarity with their families. Notably, MK Yoav Segalovitz, who joined Ra'am, also made no reference to the memorial day. In contrast, the Joint List focused on the situation in the Gaza Strip, calling for an end to what they termed "genocide."
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