An Israeli parliament member was abruptly removed from the microphone on Monday (20 Nov) after accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of being a “serial killer” during a heated speech in the Knesset.
Ayman Odeh, the leader of the Hadash-Ta’al list and a Palestinian resident of the Israeli-occupied territories, delivered a scathing critique of Netanyahu, who was present in the chamber.
Odeh began his address by sharing the heartbreaking story of Mohammad Abu Al Qomsan, a 32-year-old father from Gaza, who tragically lost his wife and twin children during the ongoing conflict.
Al Qomsan, who had married just two months before the war, became a father on 10 August when his wife, Dr Jumana Arafa, gave birth to twins—a boy and a girl.
However, just days later, on 13 August, Al Qomsan received the devastating news that his apartment had been bombed, and his family was among the casualties.
Despite having just retrieved the birth certificates of his newborns, he soon found himself holding their death certificates.
Odeh turned his attention to the broader devastation in Gaza, stating, “There are 17,385 babies in Gaza that your system has killed, with 825 of them under the age of one.”
He also mentioned that there are 35,055 orphaned babies in Gaza, adding, “The blood of all of them will haunt you.”
He continued, “And yet, in your impudence, you wonder how you are being accused by the ICC.”
Odeh reaffirms vision of coexistence, calls for justice and unity
On 20 May, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and other key figures, including Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, for war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the 7 October attacks on Israel and the subsequent Gaza conflict.
Netanyahu has been accused of committing crimes such as the starvation of civilians, causing great suffering, and directing attacks against a civilian population.
In his speech, Odeh condemned Netanyahu as “a serial killer of peace,” asking, “What is your vision? For over 30 years, you’ve been a serial killer of peace.”
The Knesset members responded strongly to Odeh’s remarks, prompting the Knesset head to order his removal from the microphone.
Three individuals were seen stepping in to escort him off the platform.
Undeterred, Odeh later shared the remainder of his speech on social media, emphasising his vision for coexistence: “There are two peoples here—Jews and Palestinians—both deserving of justice, security, and self-determination. The vision of life will triumph over Netanyahu’s vision of blood.”
The full speech that Speaker of the Knesset did not allow me to complete pic.twitter.com/xjOZiFcJKI
— איימן עודה أيمن عودة Ayman Odeh (@AyOdeh) November 18, 2024
Global outcry intensifies as Gaza war spurs genocide accusations
The ongoing war in Gaza has drawn widespread international condemnation, with many accusing the Israeli regime of committing genocide.
In early 2024, South Africa formally accused Israel of genocide during a session at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The ICJ later ordered for Israel to prevent further genocidal acts and facilitate humanitarian aid but stopped short of ordering an immediate ceasefire.
The United Nations Special Committee on Israeli Practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territories has also accused Israel of actions consistent with genocide in a report released on 14 November, citing mass civilian casualties and dire humanitarian conditions.
Pope Francis has joined the growing calls for an investigation, suggesting that the situation in Gaza may meet the definition of genocide.
In remarks ahead of the release of his book Hope Never Disappoints: Pilgrims Towards a Better World, the Pope condemned the blockade on Gaza and stated, “According to some experts, what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of genocide. This should be carefully investigated.”
The United Nations has urged member states to hold Israel accountable for the ongoing violence, emphasising the need to end support for what it terms the “assault on Gaza” and the apartheid system in the West Bank.
Since the escalation of violence on 7 October 2023, the death toll in Gaza has risen to over 43,972 people, including 17,492 children, with more than 104,008 injured.
