Israeli Lawmaker Sparks Outrage by Calling Hamas Part Charity
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS by baba
Member of Knesset Yasser Hegrat of Ra'am sparked controversy by calling Hamas partly a charity organization seeking state recognition, while condemning terror. He also suggested parallels between sides when people are killed and noted Israeli society has shifted rightward since October 7th. Political parties, including Likud and Ofer Winter's 'Am Israel' party, strongly condemned Hegrat's remarks, with some calling for his imprisonment. The full interview will air soon.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- MK Yasser Hegrat stated Hamas is partly a charity organization seeking state recognition.
- Hegrat condemned terror but questioned differences when people are killed.
- He noted Israeli society has shifted rightward since the October 7th attacks.
- The Likud party criticized Hegrat's remarks, linking him to opposition leaders.
- Ofer Winter's 'Am Israel' party called Hegrat a terror supporter who should be jailed.
Member of Knesset Yasser Hegrat of the Ra'am party has ignited controversy with remarks made during an interview for the "Cabinet Friday" program, set to air soon. When asked directly if he defines Hamas as a terrorist organization, Hegrat avoided a clear answer, instead stating that part of Hamas is a charity organization and another part desires recognition as a state.
During the exchange with interviewer Noa Dromi, Hegrat declared, "I condemn any issue of violence and terror." However, when pressed on whether he saw parallels between different sides in the conflict, he responded, "Sometimes, when there is murder and people are killed, what is the difference?"
Earlier in the interview, Hegrat discussed the political landscape and the shift in Israeli society since October 7th. He observed, "There has been a slight change in Israeli society, we must speak the truth. After October 7th, society has moved a bit more to the right." He added that opposition parties are also adjusting their messages to this trend to broaden their support base.
Hegrat also recalled Ra'am's past participation in a coalition, noting, "We also sat in a right-wing government." When questioned about ongoing counter-terrorism operations in Gaza, he advocated for continuing "peace policy."
Reactions to Hegrat's statements were swift and sharp. The Likud party issued a statement saying, "A member of the Ra'am party, the partner of [Gadi] Eisenkot, Lieberman, and Bennett, says: 'Hamas is a charity organization that wants to receive existence and recognition as a state.' These elections are fateful, it's either the right or Palestine. [Gadi] Eisenkot, Yair Golan, Lieberman, and Bennett will form a government with the Arab parties that say Hamas is a charity organization."
The 'Am Israel' party, led by Ofer Winter, also responded critically: "Shame! The senior coalition partner of [Gadi] Eisenkot, Lieberman, Bennett, and Golan praises the terrorist organization that massacred and raped our citizens on October 7th and whose entire ideology is the destruction of Israel. Now the citizens of Israel know, whoever votes for [Gadi] Eisenkot, Lieberman, Bennett, and Golan also votes for this supporter of terror. Hegrat should be in jail, not in the Knesset."
The full interview is scheduled to be broadcast on "Cabinet Friday."
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