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Ra'am MK Refuses to Call Hamas a Terror Group, Cites 'Charity' Aspect
Ra'am Member of Knesset Yasser Hegrat, also referred to as Yasser Hujirat, has sparked controversy after refusing to label Hamas a terrorist organization during an interview on i24NEWS. When asked directly by interviewer Nohad Dami, also referred to as Nohad Droumi, Hegrat avoided a direct answer, stating that Hamas is an organization with one part involved in charity and another part seeking the right to exist and recognition as a state.
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What happened
- 01Ra'am MK Yasser Hegrat refused to label Hamas a terrorist organization during an interview on i24NEWS.
- 02Hegrat described Hamas as having one part that does charity and another part seeking statehood and recognition.
- 03The lawmaker condemned terrorism but questioned the difference between sides when people are killed.
- 04Hegrat advocated for continuing a policy of peace when asked about targeted killings in Gaza.
- 05He suggested Ra'am could be crucial for a political bloc opposing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- 06The Am Israel party, led by Ofer Vinter, condemned Hegrat's remarks as shameful and called him a supporter of terrorism.
While Hegrat condemned violence and terrorism, he questioned the differences between the sides in a conflict when people are killed. Regarding targeted killings in Gaza, Hegrat evaded the question and instead advocated for continuing a policy of peace. He also noted that Israeli society has shifted further to the right since October 7, and suggested that opposition parties are adapting their messages to this trend to gain votes.
Addressing political maneuvering, Hegrat suggested that Ra'am could be crucial for a bloc opposing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, noting that if the bloc cannot secure enough mandates without Ra'am, they should consider their partnership. In response to his comments, the Am Israel party, led by Ofer Vinter, issued a statement calling Hegrat's remarks shameful and describing him as a supporter of terrorism.
Summarized by baba from the reports of 3 newsrooms. Updated
Latest report: Kikar HaShabbat. Read Kikar HaShabbat’s originalThe coverage
5 newsrooms on this story
Who covered it
- LeftNone
- Centre1
- Right2
- Haredi2
- ArabNone