Joint Arab List leader Ayman Odeh sparked controversy Sunday with a social media video in which he essentially called on all Arab Israelis who serve in the security forces to resign and leave the service.
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"It is heinous for young people or their families to agree to join [Israeli] security forces. Our historical position is that we will be with our people in order to end the murderous occupation, so that the state of Palestine will be established and Palestinian flags will be raised over the walls of Jerusalem," Odeh said in a video posted in Arabic on his Facebook page and translated by the right-wing Im Tirtzu organization.
"Young people must not join the occupation forces. I call on those who have already joined – throw the weapon in their face, in the faces of the forces who humiliate our people, our families and everyone who comes to pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Tell them you won't be part of evil, of the crimes you commit."
Oden went on to say, "Our place is with justice and truth – against the occupation. Our place is the natural place, a noble part of the Palestinian Arab people, and in a just war to bring an end to the criminal occupation. So that peace will begin on the land of peace."
The video was widely panned.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett tweeted, "I'm proud of the Arab soldiers who serve in the IDF, the Arab officers in the Israel Police, and in all security forces members of all religions, who keep us safe."
A senior police official denounced Odeh's remarks, saying, "We spare no effort to keep the peace in Jerusalem and he is adding fuel to the fire. On the one hand, he wants to eradicate crime [in the Arab sector], while on the other hand, he calls on Muslim police officer to throw away their weapons. Odeh's hypocrisy harms Arab Israelis and no one else."
Israeli media reported that the video has prompted the Israel Police to ask the State Attorney's Office to investigate whether Odeh's remarks constitute incitement. If the AG finds that they do, JAL's leader could face a criminal investigation.
Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked slammed Odeh's remarks, saying he was "inciting against the state and its institutions. He doesn't belong in the Knesset."
Public Security Minister Omer Barlev called the video "outrageous, dangerous and irresponsible. Arab Israelis' police service is a symbol of coexistence and social integration. Arab police officers are a vital part of police efforts to fight crime and terrorism."
Foreign Minister Yair Lapid slammed Odeh's "disgraceful call on Arabs not to join the police. The radicals on either side are not the majority of israelis. Our sense of togetherness is stronger than anyone who tries to tear us apart. We choose [to do] good. We choose to live together."
Likud MK Israel Katz tweeted, "Odeh's place is not in the Knesset, but in prison."
Itamar Ben-Gvir, head of the far-Right Otzma Yehudit party, called the head of the Joint Arab List a "terror sympathizer and instigator. Bennett's new friend is a disgrace!"
Ben-Gvir was referring to reports suggesting the prime minister, whose coalition recently lost its narrow majority in parliament, is mulling asking the JAL to join the government. Yamina and the Joint Arab List both dismissed the reports as untrue.
Likud MK Nir Barkat blasted Odeh and urged the attorney general to investigate and prosecute Odeh for incitement "without delay."
"It is inconceivable that, while the State of Israel is facing a wave of murderous terrorism, a member of Knesset is calling for a revolt among Arab citizens and for harming national security," he said.
Likud MK Amir Ohana tweeted, "In a normal world this man would have been arrested tonight, and tried in an expedited manner. In our world, he may still be the safety net for Bennett's Liberman government."
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