Zoabi endorses anti-Semitic author

Controversial Arab MK writes foreword for new book by British anti-Israel writer, says 'racist' settlement enterprise premised on 'ethnic cleansing'

Yaniv Halili|Published: 01.23.12 , 10:34

LONDON – Hanin Zoabi seems to be a particularly hard-working Knesset member: After sailing onboard the Marmara with terrorists, celebrating the release of Hamas men from prison and appearing in anti-Israeli conferences worldwide, the Arab MK now wrote a foreword to a new book by Ben White, a British author considered an anti-Semite.

The book, titled "Palestinians in Israel: Segregation, Discrimination and Democracy," presents a blatant anti-Israel approach. In the four-page foreword, Zoabi addresses what she calls the "racist" settlement enterprise, which she says was established on the basis of "ethnic cleansing." She also refers to Israelis as the people who took away Arab land.

'She fears nobody'

The British branch of Amnesty is slated to hold an event Thursday to launch White's new book. Several Jewish organizations already sent infuriated letters to the organization's leaders, demanding that the event be called off in favor of a balanced debate on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Jewish leaders have accused White of anti-Semitism in light of various articles he published over the years. In 2002, White wrote that he is not an anti-Semite but that he could understand why other people are. He also charged that Israel's "ongoing crimes" against the Palestinians are one of the reasons for global anti-Semitism.

MK Zoabi declined to comment on the foreword she wrote for White's book. However, her associates at the Knesset noted that some of the views expressed in the foreword have been uttered by her in the past at the Knesset podium.

"She believes in the things she writes and has never tried to hide it," a Zoabi associate said. "She fears nobody and she will continue to express what she believes in at every opportunity."