Knesset: MKs Don’t Have to Condemn Terror

The Knesset’s Ethics Committee has ruled that on grounds of free speech an MK is not obligated to condemn terror.

The committee turned down a complaint against MK Basel Ghattas (Joint List) for not condemning terror attacks during a radio interview two months ago.

Referring to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the Arab MK asserted that “I think an occupied people has the elemental right to oppose the occupation, using any means that it finds proper,” he told Southern Radio.

Ghattas added: “I, personally, wish that I could prevent every drop of blood. I am against all killing and all blood spilled, but the responsibility for all that happens is on the shoulders of Bibi Netanyahu, who continues to lead the region into war after war, to stupidity after stupidity.”

In its explanation for its decision, the Ethics Committee said that a Knesset member’s freedom of speech must be protected even when the speech is “outrageous.”

Members of the committee further stated that when an MK refuses to denounce violent actions that he did not participate in, it is not considered an ethical violation, Arutz Sheva reported.