Far-left Israeli lawmaker faces expulsion from Knesset for backing genocide charges against Israel

85 Knesset Members call for expulsion of far-left lawmaker who backed South Africa’s petition to International Court of Justice against Israel.

By David Rosenberg, World Israel News

An Israeli lawmaker who endorsed criminal charges against Israel in an international court over its ongoing war against Hamas following the October 7th massacres is facing possible expulsion from the Knesset.

Eighty-five MKs in the 120-member Knesset have signed on to a measure, drafted by MK Oded Forer of the center-right Yisrael Beytenu party, which if passed would remove MK Ofer Cassif from the Knesset.

The bill needs the support of 75% of the Knesset, or 90 MKs.

If passed, Cassif would become the first Israeli lawmaker ever to be expelled from the Knesset.

“Cassif’s actions must be seen as clear support for Hamas and their war on Israel,” Forer said. “Therefore, he has no place in this legislature.”

Under Israeli law, a sitting Knesset Member may be expelled from the Knesset if they take action or make public statements which negate Israel as a Jewish democratic state, commit incitement to racism, or support armed attacks on the State of Israel.

Should the measure against Cassif pass the Knesset with the required 90 votes, it is likely Cassif will appeal the vote to the Supreme Court.

Earlier this week, Cassif signed a petition supporting South Africa’s genocide charges against Israel.

Cassif, a member of the predominantly Arab Hadash-Ta’al faction, is the list’s only Jewish representative in the Knesset.

“MK Cassif, I suggest that you resign from the Knesset and go run in the ‘elections’ of the Palestinian Authority,” MK Sharon Nir (Yisrael Beytenu), a member of the Knesset’s ethics committee said. “No doubt the terror supporters will welcome you with open arms.”