FM to MK El-Sana: Terrorist, I'll take care of you first
During visit to Bedouin village to inspect illegal construction, FM Lieberman attacks MK El-Sana: Arab leadership represents terrorists; Arab MK accuses Lieberman of being member of mafia
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman engaged on Wednesday in a shouting match with Knesset Member Talab El-Sana (United Arab List-Ta'al) while visiting the Bedouin village of Al Zarnog in the Negev.
El-Sana accused Lieberman of being a "member of the mafia," and claimed he had no business being in the village. The minister blasted back saying: "You're a terrorist… I'll take care of you first."
Related stories:
- Yesha leaders come out against extremist violence
Settlement, Arab villages in war of attrition
Bedouins block Sinai-Israel passage
The foreign minister was visiting the town in order to examine the illegal construction in the area. During his visit, he said that the law should apply equally to all, Jews and Arabs alike.
Lieberman did not enter the village, but rather examined its construction from afar in an effort to avoid aggravating the local community. Nevertheless, Lieberman still managed to verbally attack El-Sana, saying, "You're not representing the Bedouin community. The Arab leadership represents terrorist organizations. They don't care about the Bedouins…You support Assad."
Lieberman at Bedouin village (Photo: Ilana Curiel)
El-Sana quickly interrupted the foreign minister, calling him a racist: "Since when are you so interested in the Bedouins' problems? You came here in order to fan the flames," he said.
The minister visited the town on behalf of the right-wing advocacy group Regavim, which deals with Bedouins' property issues and illegal construction on Jewish land. According to the organization, the Bedouin village of Al Zarnog was built on privately owned Jewish land.
During his visit, Lieberman further addressed the dispute over the alternatives recently suggested to replace Tal Law, which regulated haredim's IDF service. He denied the rumored possibility that Netanyahu's coalition could fall apart. "The haredi parties understand that if there's no other option, they can't possibly continue to make demands but must accept the majority vote."
- Receive Ynetnews updates
directly to your desktop
