'Eldad should be put on trial'
Knesset Member Matan Vilnai (Labor) says Knesset Member Arieh Eldad (National Union), who called for civil disobedience ahead of planned disengagement, should be put on trial
Knesset Member Arieh Eldad’s call for civil disobedience ahead of the disengagement has evoked outrage in the political arena.
Knesset Member Matan Vilnai called on Eldad (National Union) to forgo his (Knesset) immunity so he may be put on trial for his remarks.
“Anyone who incites during these sensitive times should be put on trial to prevent the next political assassination,” he said.
Vilnai also said Attorney General Menachem Mazuz must demand Eldad be tried for his comments.
In his speech at the Gush Katif anti-disengagement rally Wednesday, Eldad said, “I want to see civil disobedience. You will have to say to your grandchildren ‘I sat in prison for the land and people of Israel.’”
“Jews do not evacuate Jews in Israel. Without comparing this to the Holocaust, then we said ‘Why was the world silent?’ Now, we are the world,” he said.
“In this effort we do not have the privilege of losing. A historic injustice is on our shoulders - we are fighting for our homes.”
Knesset Member Eitan Cabel also called on Mazuz to intervene.
“It is fitting that the attorney general would examine the legal aspects of the remarks made by Eldad, who is none other than the Knesset Ethics Committee chairman,” he said. “I call on him to resign from his post in light of the comments he made.”
Knesset Member Roman Bronfman (Yachad) said, “With his dangerous and irresponsible remark Eldad is single-handedly bringing about a civil war.”
“Public figures are obligated to call for restraint, especially with regard to such sensitive issues,” he said.
“If we would not leave Gaza, as the majority in the Knesset has decided, our grandchildren would not forgive us.”
However, condemnations regarding Eldad’s remarks did not come solely from the left.
Knesset Member Ehud Yatom (Likud) said, “Any call for civil disobedience and disobeying of the law increases the danger for violence among Jews, which would result in a greater tragedy than the disengagement itself.".
