• Published 22:53 15.06.10
  • Latest update 22:53 15.06.10

Arab MK to EU: Israeli leaders must be tried at The Hague

MK Afu Aghbaria, speaking at a hearing of the European Parliament, also said 700 Gazans have died at border crossings due to Israel's actions.

By Jonathan Lis Tags: Israel news EU Knesset

Speaking at a hearing of the European Parliament, MK Afu Aghbaria (Hadash) accused Israel of deliberately harassing the residents of the Gaza Strip and called for Israeli leaders to be tried at the International Criminal Court.

MK Afu Aghbaria

Hadash MK Afu Aghbaria at a faction meeting in 2009.

Photo by: Daniel Bar-On

The hearing, also attended by MK Nahman Shai (Kadima) and MK Einat Wolf (Labor), was organized by the Communist Party in the European Parliament.

"In its 62 years of existence, Israel has attacked its neighbors and its Arab citizens nonstop," Aghbaria said.

"Israel prevents the passage of medicines and medical supplies to Gaza. As a result of this, 700 Gazans have died at the border crossings. [Benjamin] Netanyahu, [Ehud] Barak, [Avigdor] Lieberman and [Tzipi] Livni should be brought to the International Criminal Court in The Hague," the lawmaker said.

Shai and Wilf quickly condemned Aghbaria's words, in a joint statement.

"It is very grave that at a time when MKs are making every effort to calm spirits, lessen the damage and bring a positive message to the European Parliament, an Arab MK comes and arouses tempers and takes advantage of his position to call on the European Parliament to enact sanctions on Israel," they said.

"We plan to bring the contents of MK Aghbaria's speech to the attention of Knesset speaker Reuven Rivlin."

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  • 38. 15 36
    Ahgbaria
    • Aaron de Haas
    • 16.06.10
    • 09:17

    Kick the traitor out of the Knesset.

  • 37. 5 22
    WHAT IS THE RIGHT NUMBER?
    • Enrico
    • 16.06.10
    • 09:11

    "...As a result of this, 700 Gazans have died at the border crossings. ..." In addition addition to prevention of passage for medicins and supplies, there are delays at border crossings. What is the right number, 0?, 700? or somewhere in between? Get real. please!

  • 36. 15 35
    If this does not convince you of the stupidity of somearab 'leaders'
    • a voice
    • 16.06.10
    • 09:03

    nothing else will. What are the qualifications of arab members of the Knesset? they take an oath to represent their people and to defend the country? These current dopes are simply treasonous and must be disqualified from their positions. bring in politicians who want peace and harmony and put blame where it belongs. how many times can a country get missled, kicked and punched before she responds. Our politicians too often promote restraint which tells the world to keep shooting, kicking and attacking. What spineless creatures.

  • 35. 8 39
    Alternate Plan - 2nd Try
    • Mark of Lewiston
    • 16.06.10
    • 08:24

    Turn out your voters. Just 20% probably takes over the next government. There were 30+ parties in the last election. and almost no Israeli Arab participation. Turn out in numbers and you can lead the government. Then you, too can criminalize politics and have the trials in Israel.

  • 34. 21 8
    The true, nothing but the true!!
    • Niva dos Santos
    • 16.06.10
    • 07:19

    Period!

  • 33. 18 9
    The true, nothing but the true!!
    • Niva dos Santos
    • 16.06.10
    • 07:18

    Period!

  • 32. 37 11
    Whats the problem here?
    • Neil
    • 16.06.10
    • 07:13

    He speaks the truth. Under Geneva conventions about Occupied territories, (and Gaza and the West Bank are occupied territories) the people enacting or enforcing the rules that break international law are responsible. These are Israeli Politicians. I am certain that the charge in the Hague would be crimes against humanity.

  • 31. 8 27
    OHHH PLEASE ......GIVE IT A REST.... HELP the KYRGYZSTAN PEOPLE who are being MURDERED...
    • esther
    • 16.06.10
    • 05:54

    IF people would not give these ALARMISTS print space....then maybe they would go away & focus on something more constructive ...like help the poor people in Kyrgyzstan

  • 30. 5 23
  • 29. 26 6
    Impeach Netanyahu and Gang
    • Steve Benassi
    • 16.06.10
    • 05:23

    If the US can do it, Israel can do it. If not, let the Hague do it.

  • 28. 7 26
    Sucidal Democracy
    • Avi
    • 16.06.10
    • 05:13

    And this person is getting paid by the Israeli public? Just like Bashara who spied for Hezbollah and fled the country and the countless other deeds made by Arab MKs... This is disgusting... Israel is becoming far too democratic, it's time to make some laws to deal with enemies from within who cynically use Israel's laws against her...

  • 27. 5 24
    treasonous acts
    • Voice of reason
    • 16.06.10
    • 05:03

    Shouldn't treasonous acts be treated as such??

  • 26. 12 24
    Hamas
    • Michelle Wayne
    • 16.06.10
    • 04:30

    and thousands of Israeli died because of action taken by Hamas. Can we take Hamas leaders to Hague???

  • 25. 12 30
    only in israel
    • ali baba
    • 16.06.10
    • 04:09

    vicious, ungreatful enemies(arabs) are alowed to be part of government. Throw them out they are not part of israel and never will be...

  • 24. 6 21
    Arab Mk Afu Aghbaria
    • Ed Angeles
    • 16.06.10
    • 03:50

    I thought all the MK's are Israeli leaders does not matter if they are Arab, Persian or others; that is what free and democratic country is all about. Hence Mr. Aghbaria is responsible like the other MK's for all the Israeli policies, otherwise he should resign. How could an MK represent his country when is actively helping its enemies? That is exactly the definition of insanity of the so-called intelligent and progressive liberals whom not grounded to reality.

  • 23. 10 40
    Israel is not a democracy. it is anarchy
    • libra
    • 16.06.10
    • 03:46

    Have anyone know MP who ask his presedient or PM to be put on a trial and remain MP after all? Strip him or you will lose.

  • 22. 23 3
    observation
    • potobac
    • 16.06.10
    • 03:16

    While it is very grave for him to make such an accusation at this time, this doesn't mean that if what he is saying is true, it shouldn't be said. Should not misdeeds be exposed?

  • 21. 6 17
    I thought they died because of their own actions.
    • MIKEinNYC
    • 16.06.10
    • 02:55

    Silly me. I thought that if they behaved themselves and didn't provoke the Israelis this never would have happened.

  • 20. 19 6
    well
    • oldav
    • 16.06.10
    • 02:52

    I have thought for a long time that Israel is a war criminal nation . It would be nice to see the war criminals punished.

  • 19. 3 14
    Fair is Fair
    • Kevin Walsh
    • 16.06.10
    • 02:25

    "In its 62 years of existence, Israel has attacked its neighbors and its Arab citizens nonstop," Aghbaria said. We need to avoid selective blindness. The Arab States attacked Israel in 1948 and 1973. Israel has a basis for its vigilance, there has been excesses on both sides.

  • 18. 1 11
    Gilad !!
    • makea peace
    • 16.06.10
    • 02:20

    as i said many times the whole gaza blockade is because of Gilad & the whole world knows that ppl r not stupid ....aren´t they ??

  • 17. 5 17
    ARAB MK
    • gideon ben yoash
    • 16.06.10
    • 02:08

    haaretz should candidate him for noble piss(did i misspel peace?) prize along with yossi sarid and levey as well as Amira let make it all haaretz writer

  • 16. 8 19
    snakes and scorpions
    • Smuelshachor
    • 16.06.10
    • 02:03

    What would happen to this traitor if he would be in saudi arabia or in iran and would go abroad to betray the hands that feed his sorry carcass...??? I'm sure his carcass would be hangtign from a tree and drying in the sun...Why should Israel treat him better???

  • 15. 23 2
    Just another cowardly threat
    • John, another American
    • 16.06.10
    • 01:51

    "We plan to bring the contents of MK Aghbaria's speech to the attention of Knesset speaker Reuven Rivlin." This is just another threat from a cowardly government. You are now naked and transparent before the world.

  • 14. 6 15
    speech
    • Michael
    • 16.06.10
    • 01:44

    Afu Aghbaria can freely talk against Israel because he lives in Israel the only democracy in the ME.?How many can express their opinions against Hamas in Gaza or in any Arab country?

  • 13. 11 2
    Better Idea
    • Mark of Lewiston
    • 16.06.10
    • 01:22

    Get the Arab population of Israelis to vote in the next election. Take over the government. 20% should be a plurality and you can ally with some other parties. Then put those you consider to be criminal on trial yourselves. Or just take away their power. There were 30 parties in the last election. There might be 50 in the next. A single party commanding 20% should be achievable. All you have to do is show up at the polls. Do it yourselves. Stop playing victim.

  • 12. 3 11
    The fifth column in action
    • Pepe
    • 16.06.10
    • 01:14

  • 11. 14 6
    STRONGLY AGREED!!!
    • Daniel
    • 16.06.10
    • 01:06

  • 10. 5 3
    Arab MK
    • jake
    • 16.06.10
    • 01:00

    "Israel prevents the passage of medicines and medical supplies to Gaza. As a result of this, 700 Gazans have died at the border crossings." An MK has made a rather bold statement. Only thing of import to me? Is there any truth to it. Probably preventing is a bit strong but controlling the amount of medicines and medical supplies to be received can still have it's consequences. I mean you may have underestimated how much should do them! Now what was he saying about The Hague?

  • 9. 5 16
    Boring... Hadash communist party always says trash like this
    • Brian Cohen
    • 16.06.10
    • 00:46

    So what? Is Hadash going to call for war crimes trials for Hamas leaders? Maybe this MK should read Ha'aretz.... "... the [Goldstone] report contains the clearest finding that Hamas and other militant Palestinian groups committed serious war crimes and possibly crimes against humanity. The acceptance of those findings by the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly has been ignored completely..." Richard Goldstone, Interviewed by Ha'aretz, Nov 13 2009

  • 8. 6 13
    Question
    • Benjamín Núñez
    • 16.06.10
    • 00:17

    How come there are no jewish members pof parliament free to talk in arab countries or in Iran?

  • 7. 17 3
    well it is true
    • 16.06.10
    • 00:13

    ....

  • 6. 3 15
    Israeli Arab MK to EU: Israeli leaders must be tried at The Hague
    • Dave
    • 15.06.10
    • 23:49

    MK Afu Aghbaria is yet another irresponsible demagogue. Ultimate responsibility for his behavior rests with the Israeli Arab constituency that votes for him. In the end, his words elicit anger, accomplish nothing and undermine his constituents. The true test is for his constituents to start looking forward and determine which parliamentarians best serve their economic, social and political agenda and which use the platform afforded to them for foolish, irresponsible, petulant demagoguery. Politically and legally it’s not worth the time or effort to afford Afu Aghbaria’s the attention that would come from a parliamentary review of his behavior.

  • 5. 28 5
    Israeli leaders to be tried at the International Criminal Court.?
    • Tony Silver - Kopenhagen
    • 15.06.10
    • 23:43

    Mr. Afu Aghbaria must be dreaming. He must know israel is above International Laws!

    • 3 16
      cheap shot tony, but why expect lengthy discourse
      • a voice
      • 16.06.10
      • 09:07

      based on facts on the ground. Your ignorance and arrogance of the mideast realities would entitle you to be a satirical cartoonist, not demanding too much thought and intellect. If you system of justice should force Israel to accept a political force SWORN TO her destruction, then you are in a terrible leftist liberal dream state of your own. pathetic pundit!

  • 4. 8 20
    sanity speaks
    • Sanity speaks
    • 15.06.10
    • 23:32

    Oh my god!!! they should fire him on the spot. how self destructive can Israel be? He is a traitor. get rid of him.

  • 3. 9 25
    Unbelievable
    • Jonathan S
    • 15.06.10
    • 23:30

    And I pay for this traitor's salary and pension. Lets see something like this happen in America.

  • 2. 6 24
    one view of history
    • steve-nyc
    • 15.06.10
    • 23:23

    clearly not balanced. he left out a few events, like the Arab armies attacking in 1948, the suicide bombings, the rocketing, destruction of green houses and buildings that could be used as productive assets. etc. perhaps he is a spy.

  • 1. 6 17
    Natural Justice and independent International investigations
    • Jeff
    • 15.06.10
    • 23:20

    With between 200 and 1400 or thereabouts Uzbeks killed in ethnic violence against the Turkic Uzbeks by the Turkic Kyrgyza, it would seems that the UN Security council does not call for an international and independent and comprehensive investigation. After all 1400 Uzbeks dont count for a hill of beans as compared to native 10 Turks, or Palestinians. Maybe the UN secretary Ban Ki Moon and all the other humanitarians would like to consider the death of 1400 unarmed non baton wielding uzbeks