Ofer Cassif expelled from Knesset for accusing IDF of war crimes

Hadash-Ta'al MK Ofer Cassif was expelled from the Knesset for six months on November 11 following a decision by the Knesset Ethics Committee, according to Israeli media.

Cassif was expelled for accusing the IDF of committing war crimes, as well as his signing of South Africa's genocide petition to the International Court of Justice.

He will be suspended for six months and have his pay withheld for two weeks from November 12; this is one of the most severe punishments against an MK in recent years.

Cassif was last suspended without pay for 45 days in October 2023 for saying Israel wanted violence two days after the start of the war and comparing Israel's plans with the Nazi's final solution.

Cassif hits back at the decision

Cassif hit back soon after calling the decision "nationalist-political censorship" and saying the claims of war crime were well-founded.

"My political statements against the occupation, ethnic cleansing, war crimes, and genocide committed by the Israeli government in Gaza - witnessed by the entire world - are well-founded statements protected under the freedom of political expression, said out of my loyalty to the moral character of Israeli society and my mission for justice for Jews and Arabs."

"My punishment is a continuation of the political persecution of opponents of the war and critics of Netanyahu's bloody rule, Cassif told Israeli media.

He accused "arch-criminal" Netanyahu of launching a campaign of incitement and persecution against "anyone who utters a critical voice, including the families of the hostages."

"I will not be silent and will continue to fight for the end of the war, the return of the hostages, the end of the occupation, and the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel - for peace, equality, and justice for both nations," he said.