Knesset Member Ofer Kassif responded to his conviction for assaulting a police officer, saying "it should come as no surprise to anyone, and it did not surprise me." According to him, "This, like the attempt to disqualify me, is another layer in the ongoing political persecution of anyone who stands fearlessly against the occupation, its crimes and criminals, and for democracy, justice and true peace for both peoples. Silencing voices through the courtroom will not eliminate the struggle and will not silence our voice - it only clarifies how biased the system is and how it is harnessed for political score-settling, orchestrated by Kahanists, most of whom are serial offenders."