Haneen Zoabi
Haneen Zoabi | |
---|---|
Member of the Knesset | |
In office 24 February 2009 – 30 March 2019 | |
Succeeded by | Ofer Cassif |
Constituency | Joint List |
Faction represented in the Knesset | |
2009–2015 | Balad |
2015–2019 | Joint List |
Personal details | |
Born | Nazareth, Israel | 23 May 1969
Nationality | Palestinian-Israeli |
Political party | Balad |
Education | University of Haifa, Hebrew University of Jerusalem |
Occupation | Politician |
Haneen Zoabi (
Biography
Haneen Zoabi was born in
She is a relative of Seif el-Din el-Zoubi, a former mayor of Nazareth and member of the Knesset between 1949 and 1959, and again from 1965 until 1979, and Abd el-Aziz el-Zoubi, a Deputy Health Minister and the first Arab member of an Israeli government.[5]
Political career
Zoabi joined Balad in 2001.
During the build-up to the
Zoabi faced a similar situation prior to the March 2015 elections. On 12 February 2015, the CEC voted 27–6 to disqualify Zoabi from running in the elections. However, on 18 February the Supreme Court overturned the ruling in an 8–1 decision.[13] She retired from national politics prior to the April 2019 elections, although she was given a symbolic 113th slot on the joint list of Balad and the United Arab List.
Political views and opinions
Zoabi views herself as a
Zoabi argues that rejection of the Jewish state concept is the only way to combat Avigdor Lieberman's demand that Israeli citizens take loyalty oaths. Rejecting the 'Jewish state' concept, she says, "is the only idea that can remove Lieberman from the circle of political and moral legitimacy... When you agree with the 'Jewish state' idea, you necessarily agree with the idea of loyalty to this state. Rejecting the 'Jewish state' concept will block the road for anyone who demands our loyalty to such a state."[16] In 2009, she met with Code Pink, and Coalition of Women for Peace.[17] But in 2016 in Switzerland Zoabi retracted this somewhat and said:
- My vision is Justice and liberation. I don't want to formulate our position as Palestinians within the question of one state or two states. This is a procedural question for me... Even if we are talking about two states, none of them can be a Jewish state... both must be democratic. We cannot agree with the notion of a Jewish state. It's not a matter of one or two. It's a matter of justice and liberation. I think this is a terminology we must use....
- Now! End occupation. Now! The right of return!... my party which I represent talks about two different states. One state for all citizens which is non-Zionist state, non-Jewish state, within the borders of '48. And a Palestinian state, with the right of return.... This is the program of my party.[18][19]
She also believes that the West should engage with rather than boycott Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip. She commented, "No one can tell the Palestinian people whom to choose as a government. Hamas is not a terrorist organization.... Regardless of whether I disagree [with Hamas], the international community cannot mediate neutrally if it starts to label the organizations of the Palestinians as illegitimate."[15]
She has described soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces as "murderers".[20][21][22][23]
Zoabi in 2009 described Lieberman,
At the 18th Knesset swearing-in ceremony on 24 February 2009, she left the Knesset plenum before the singing of
Zoabi and the Balad party reject any form of national service for Israel's Arab citizens.[25]
Views on Iran
The Jerusalem Post reported in March 2009 that Zoabi said that she was not concerned that Iran might acquire nuclear weapons. Instead she suggested that the Middle East needed a counterweight to Israel's nuclear weaponry. She explained, "I am afraid of real risk rather than of potential risk." An Iranian nuclear weapon, she said, is only a potential threat. "The real danger is the IDF.... It is more dangerous to the world, more dangerous to everyone, more dangerous to the Palestinians, to Israelis, to have Israel as the only powerful state.... The violence of the Israeli army is an outcome of Israel's convenient feeling that no one will restrict her."[26] Zoabi also claimed that Iran was a positive influence on Palestinian affairs and had played a more beneficial role in region than Jordan or Egypt because it stood more firmly "against occupation than a lot of the Arab countries".[26]
Balad's chairman at the time, Jamal Zahalka, said that Zoabi's comments represented an analysis rather than a party position, and did not constitute supporting a nuclear-armed Iran.[26]
In an interview in 2010 in New Statesman she asked rhetorically, "If the world doesn't prevent Israel from having nuclear weapons, why does it prevent others?"[15]
Participation in the Gaza flotilla
On 31 May 2010, Zoabi participated in the Gaza flotilla,[27] and was on board the MV Mavi Marmara when violence broke out as Israeli commandos boarded the ship.[28] Zoabi was arrested and briefly held by authorities. At a news conference upon her release, Zoabi called the raid criminal, saying she witnessed two wounded passengers bleed to death after the Israelis refused to provide requested medical aid.[29] She also stated, "It was clear from the size of the force that boarded the ship that the purpose was not only to stop this sail, but to cause the largest possible number of fatalities in order to stop such initiatives in the future."[30]
In a speech at the Knesset a day after her release, Zoabi called the raid a "pirate military operation" and asked for an international investigation.[31] She also demanded to know why the Israeli government had not released photos and videos it confiscated from passengers that might shed light on why nine passengers were killed and dozens wounded. During her address she also said, "Israel spoke of a provocation, but there was no provocation. Why does the government of Israel oppose an investigation?"
Zoabi was repeatedly interrupted and shouted down during the speech by other lawmakers, one of whom shouted "Go to Gaza, traitor!" The chaos reached a peak when MK
Zoabi commented three years after the events, "I came to the Knesset two days after the Marmara events, stunned by the way a political protest had become a bloodbath. I hoped that the MKs would want to hear firsthand testimony. I was ready to be questioned. But I was so naive. I encountered hate politics."[36]
For her participation in the Gaza flotilla, Israel Interior Minister Eli Yishai requested that Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein revoke Zoabi's parliamentary immunity and authorize Yishai to strip Zoabi of Israeli citizenship. Yishai accused Zoabi of engaging in a "premeditated act of treason", claiming she had assisted activists on board the Mavi Marmara and was "undoubtedly aware" of their preparations to attack IDF soldiers.[37] Likud MK Yariv Levin also accused Zoabi of betraying the State of Israel, and called for her prosecution.[38]
A Knesset committee voted 7–1 to recommend her parliamentary immunity be revoked,[39] which attracted concern from the international Inter-Parliamentary Union[40] and was ultimately blocked by Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin, who ignored the recommendation and declined to submit it to a vote of the full Knesset. He and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hoped that sparing Zoabi would protect Israel from further international condemnation over its Gaza blockade and its military's actions aboard the Mavi Marmara.[citation needed] Rivlin, known for his advocacy of Arab–Jewish coexistence,[41] said he was stunned by the assault on Zoabi's privileges as well as the near physical attack upon her. He asked, "Would they do that to a Jewish member?"[39]
When the full Knesset met on 13 July 2010, it decided, in a 34–16 vote, to strip Zoabi of three parliamentary privileges as a penalty for her participation in the flotilla: the right to have a diplomatic passport, entitlement to financial assistance should she require legal help, and the right to visit countries with which Israel does not have diplomatic relations.[42] She was also stripped of the right to participate in Knesset discussions and to vote in parliamentary committees.[43] In 2011, Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein closed the case against Zoabi because of "significant evidentiary and legal difficulties."[44]
Israeli foreign ministry tweets
Partly because of an Israeli embassy's tweets about Zoabi, in August 2012, the Foreign Ministry of Israel updated its social media guidelines for its worldwide diplomats, clarifying that for practical purposes there is no difference between a tweet or on-line social media post and an official briefing, as they will be interpreted as Israel's official position. This move followed several embarrassing incidents where inappropriate tweets or posts were made by Israeli embassies. One major embarrassment occurred when Zoabi made a speaking tour of Ireland. When she criticized Israel in some of her speeches, the Dublin-based Israeli embassy in Ireland responded with three tweets critical of her, in spite of the fact that she is an elected official.[45]
2014 kidnapping comments and Knesset suspension
On 15 June 2014, five days after the
Many Israeli public figures criticized Zoabi's words. Labor opposition leader
Zoabi reported receiving hundreds of death threats in the first days after her comments. She commented, "I was taken by surprise at the public's reaction. I was surprised since the injustice inflicted on the other side is so much greater. There are thousands of abducted Palestinians in Israeli prisons.... It's not that I want Israelis to be abducted and not released. The exact opposite is the case."[50]
On 25 July Israeli attorney general Yehuda Weinstein ordered an investigation of Zoabi on charges of incitement and public disgrace.[51] On July 29, Zoabi was suspended from the Knesset plenum for a duration of six months.[52] During that time she was not allowed to address the Knesset or its committees. Zoabi's appeal to Israel's Supreme Court to overturn the suspension was rejected.[46]
Meeting with Palestinian attackers families
In February 2016, during the
See also
- List of Arab members of the Knesset
- Women in Arab societies
References
- ^ a b c Cook, Jonathan (February 25, 2009). "Palestinian Woman Makes History in Israeli Parliament". AlterNet. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
- ^ "Ex-MK Haneen Zoabi convicted of fraud, forgery in plea deal". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
- ^ Jason Koutsoukis (May 16, 2009). "Voice of equality". The Age.
My parents are Muslims. They pray, they fast, they have been to Mecca, but they raised their children to think and feel as liberal, open-minded people.
- ^ a b c d e Netty C. Gross (March 16, 2009). "Provocative Parliamentarian (Extract)". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
- ^ "Ministers of the Minorities". Governments of Israel. Knesset of Israel. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
- ^ "Haneen Zoubi Makes Knesset History, And Then Some". Caledoniyya. February 26, 2009. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
- Ynetnews.
- ^ Lahav Harkov (December 10, 2012). "Election committee to debate disqualifying Zoabi". The Jerusalem Post.
- ^ Harriet Sherwood (December 19, 2012). "Arab-Israeli politician Haneen Zoabi disqualified from re-election". The Guardian.
- Ynetnews.
- ^ "Israel Hayom | with new legislation, Danny Danon zeroes in on Zoabi". Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 25, 2013.
- ^ Lahav Harkov (February 6, 2013). "'Zoabi Bill' seeks to keep Balad MK out of Knesset". The Jerusalem Post.
- ^ Yonah Jeremy Bob (February 18, 2015). "Zoabi, Marzel back in election race, High Court rules". The Jerusalem Post.
- ^ ח"כ זועבי: "אני לא ציונית, אני פלסטינית ילידת הארץ" [MK Zoabi: 'I am not a Zionist, I am a Palestinian born in Israel'] (in Hebrew). nrg.co.il. October 29, 2014. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
- ^ a b c d Samira Shackle (August 6, 2010). "The NS Interview: Haneen Zoabi". New Statesman.
- ^ Sokol, Samuel (March 31, 2009). "New Balad MK praises Iran's nuke quest: Zuabi cites Cold War, saying Mutually Assured Destruction is a means to restrain Israel". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
- ^ Eileen Fleming (June 6, 2009). "It's All About the Children". Coalition of Women for Peace. Archived from the original on February 3, 2017. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
- ^ Lecture by Hanin Zoabi in Bern, April of 2016 (Part 3/3: Q & A with audience). Gesellschaft Schweiz-Palästina (GSP). August 31, 2016 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Israel – "einzige Demokratie im Nahen Osten"? Der Kampf gegen die Diskriminierung der PalästinenserInnen" [Israel - 'only democracy in the Middle East'? The fight against discrimination against the Palestinians] (in German). Sweitz Palastina. April 2, 2016.
- ^ Kershner, Isabel (July 19, 2016). "Israeli Parliament Passes Law Enabling Ouster of Legislators". The New York Times. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
- ^ "Zoabi doubles down on claim IDF troops are 'murderers'". The Times of Israel. June 30, 2016. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
- ^ Allon, Gideon (June 30, 2016). "Arab MK Zoabi calls IDF soldiers murderers; PM: she crossed a line". Israel Hayom. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
- ^ Lis, Jonathan (June 29, 2016). "Verbal Clashes in Knesset After Lawmaker Calls Israeli Soldiers Murderers /israel-news/1.727913". Haaretz. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
- ^ Paz, Shelly (February 24, 2009). "Peres: Conclude peace deal this term". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
- ^ "General Consensus against 'Civic Service' in the 'I Will Not Serve' Conference in Haifa" (Doc). Baladna Association for Arab Youth. March 27, 2007. Retrieved June 22, 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c Sokol, Samuel (March 31, 2009). "New Balad MK praises Iran's nuke quest". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
- ^ Ali Abunimah (May 30, 2010). "Palestinian Pundit: Image: Palestinian Knesset member Haneen Zoubi speaks to Israel media from Gaza flotilla". Palestinianpundit.blogspot.com. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
- ^ "The occupation authorities transfer Haneen Zoubi to investigation". FreeGaza.ps. June 1, 2010. Archived from the original on March 27, 2012. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
- ^ Mel Frykberg (June 18, 2010). "Arab-Israeli Parliamentarian Fights Death Threats". Inter Press Service.
- ^ Joshua Mitnick (June 5, 2010). "Zoubi turns the heat on Tel Aviv with open criticism of action". Gulf News. The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
- ^ Barak Ravid; Jack Khoury; Jonathan Lis (June 2, 2010). "Israeli Arab MK who joined Gaza flotilla: IDF raid was a 'pirate' operation". Haaretz. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
- ^ Rebecca Anna Stoil (June 3, 2010). "Knesset goes wild over Zoabi". The Jerusalem Post.
- Ynetnews.
- ^ Amit Cohen (June 5, 2010). ח"כ חנין זועבי: הנייה אמר לי להיות חזקה [MK Hanin Zoabi: Haniyeh told me to be strong] (in Hebrew). Nrg.co.il.
- ^ JPost.Com staff; Rebecca Anna Stoil (June 6, 2010). "Facebook user calls for MK Zoabi's death". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
- ^ Dalia Karpel (January 4, 2013). "Hanin Zuabi: Not Here to Be Loved". Haaretz.
- ^ Ravid, Barak (June 3, 2010). "Interior Minister seeks to strip Israeli Arab MK of citizenship: Israeli Arab MK Hanin Zuabi took part in Gaza aid flotilla, in what Eli Yishai calls a 'premeditated act of treason'". Haaretz.
- ^ Lis, Jonathan (June 7, 2010). "Knesset panel recommends revoking Arab MK's privileges". Haaretz.
- ^ a b "Israel's democracy: Under siege too: Some liberals say that Israel's vaunted democracy is under threat". The Economist. June 17, 2010. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
- ^ Lis, Jonathan (June 16, 2010). "International lawmakers may probe Israeli decision to censure Arab MK". Haaretz.
- ^ Fay Cashman, Greer; Linde, Steve (June 26, 2014). "Rivlin: Arabs and Jews are destined to coexist". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
- ^ Lis, Jonathan (July 14, 2010). "Knesset revokes key privileges of Hanin Zuabi". Haaretz.
- ^ Harkov, Lahav (July 18, 2010). "Haneen Zoabi suspended from Knesset over Gaza flotilla". Jerusalem Post.Lis, Jonathan (July 18, 2010). "Arab MK stripped of further parliamentary privileges for role in Gaza flotilla". Haaretz.
- Ynetnews.
- ^ Ravid, Barak (August 15, 2012). "Israel's Foreign Ministry gives envoys a lesson on twitter diplomacy: Recent embarrassing Facebook and Twitter posts prompt Foreign Ministry to update social media guidelines for Israeli diplomats around the world". Haaretz.
- ^ a b "High Court rejects MK Haneen Zoabi's petition to overturn suspension". December 10, 2014.
- ^ Mairav Zonszein (December 9, 2014). "The Knesset v. Zoabi: Israeli Arab MK's politics put on trial". +972 Magazine.
- ^ "Herzog to Zoabi: Opposition condemns statements that support kidnapping". The Jerusalem Post. June 18, 2014.
- ^ Lahav Harkov (June 17, 2014). "Zoabi: Kidnappers are not terrorists, they're fighting occupation". The Jerusalem Post.
- ^ Jonathan Lis; Yaniv Kubovich (June 18, 2014). "MK Zoabi Gets Knesset Bodyguard Amid Wave of Threats Against Her". Haaretz.
- ^ Lahav Harkov; Ariel Ben Solomon; Yonah Jeremy Bob. "Israel launches criminal probe against Arab lawmaker". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
- ^ Jonathan Lis. "MK Zoabi suspended from Knesset plenum". Haaretz. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
- ^ "Knesset suspends Arab MKs for meeting Palestinian terrorists' families".
External links
- Haneen Zoabi on the Knesset website