Tibi tells Gaza to stand strong; MKs on left, right visit rocket-stricken southern communities.
By LAHAV HARKOV
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu expressed concern on Monday about comments MK Ahmed Tibi (United Arab List-Ta’al) made supporting Gaza, following the rocket fire in the south.“Tibi’s identification with Gaza, even if he is only hinting towards it, is very grave,” Netanyahu said, asking to see the MK’s Facebook page.On Saturday night, Tibi wrote on his page in Arabic: “Be strong, oh Gaza. Stay steadfast, oh Gaza.”MK Danny Danon (Likud) wrote a letter to Attorney-General Yehuda Weinstein on Monday, saying that the UAL-Ta’al MK crossed “every possible red line,” and called for him to be put behind bars.“One million Israeli citizens are under fire from extremist terrorists in the Gaza Strip, and Tibi chooses to praise terrorist activities,” Danon said.The Likud MK warned that a terrorist cell is developing in the Knesset, and that Tibi should be removed for supporting violent combat against Israel.MK Tzipi Hotovely (Likud) submitted a bill that would not allow an MK who expresses support for armed combat against Israel or support for terrorist organizations to continue to serve in the Knesset.According to Hotovely, the existing punishments – temporary suspension from the Knesset – are not enough of a deterrent for Arab MKs who do not recognize Israel’s right to exist.Also on Monday, Kadima canceled its weekly no-confidence motion in the Knesset plenum, due to the security situation in the south.“At a time like this, when a million citizens are under fire, this is the correct and responsible thing to do,” Kadima faction chairwoman Dalia Itzik said. “The government should give a real response and ensure the residents of the south are safe.”
Shas held its Monday faction meeting in the Hazon Ovadia school in Beersheba, which was hit by a Grad missile on Sunday night, and visited an Iron Dome missile defense battery in the city.Interior Minister and Shas leader Eli Yishai said his heart is with residents of the south, who are under attack, and he hopes his party’s visit will strengthen and encourage them.Labor leader Shelly Yacimovich also visited Beersheba along with MKs from her party, saying that Israel has the right to fight terrorists that seek to harm Israel. She added that closing local schools was a responsible move that showed leadership.At the Labor faction meeting later that day, MKs expressed support for the IDF response to the rocket fire and commended MK Amir Peretz’s work in initiating the Iron Dome missile project when he was defense minister.According to MK Arye Eldad (National Union), the government must present Hamas with an ultimatum: Either stop shooting rockets or Hamas structures and leaders will become targets of an Israeli attack. In addition, he said that Israel must stop sending supplies to Gaza.“Sending supplies to the enemy in a time of war is an injustice that is unprecedented in the history of mankind,” he stated.