Dim Amor

In the days leading up to the outbreak of the current war between Israel and Iran on June 13, critical voices were heard from various Knesset members against Israel's security establishment and government, statements that are now making headlines in the midst of the war.

Knesset member Ahmad Tibi, who humiliates the security establishment and the Prime Minister and government ministers at every opportunity, spoke in his usual manner during the period preceding the war. According to documentation, Tibi compared soldiers to fascism and called Jews "terrorists" and "occupiers" in various statements.

Knesset member Iman Khatib-Yassin also did not miss opportunities to criticize the security forces and the Israeli government, among other things consistently denying the events of October 7.

Another prominent case – Yair Golan receives ongoing criticism. As early as February 23, 2025, Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi published sharp criticism against him on Facebook. Subsequently, on May 20, 2025, Golan made harsh statements: "A sane country doesn't kill babies as a hobby". These statements indicate an ongoing trend.

Karhi wrote then in February: "Yair Golan, the man who compared IDF soldiers to Nazis, continues to incite and defame those who truly defend the state. Golan is a serial political bully – today he threatens the Prime Minister, just as he threatened the Police Commissioner in the past. A person who only understands the language of force and incitement, and tries to generate headlines at the expense of those who fought and won. A small man with a big mouth. The people rejected you, and history will forget you".

In another case that gained public attention, Dr. Raid Ghattas – a physician at Clalit Health Services and member of the Nof HaGalil city council – on May 9, 2025, apparently accused IDF soldiers of "genocide in Gaza" – a particularly serious accusation. Ghattas, whose brother Basil Ghattas was previously convicted of aiding terrorists, continues to treat soldiers and Jewish patients within Clalit Health Services, despite his harsh statements.

The Health Minister condemned Dr. Ghattas's statements, and his office conveyed: "The Health Minister views such statements in the healthcare system with great severity. The Minister calls from every platform to remove the healthcare system from the political arena and focus on the system's central missions – saving lives, maintaining public health, and ensuring the system's future and stability for generations to come".

Photos from the demonstration held in Nof HaGalil city (14.05.25). The demonstration was held in protest against the city council member, Dr. Raid Ghattas. The protesters called for Ghattas's dismissal, but the mayor, Mr. Ronen Plot, did not respond to the demand. It appears that for personal reasons and according to political understandings, it is convenient for Plot to leave in the council a person who allegedly holds hostile positions toward the IDF, and even claims that "genocide" is occurring in Gaza. Photo: Maakav

Clalit Health Services responded: "Following the post and despite there being no employer-employee relationship between the doctor and Clalit, and this being an independent doctor with the status of a service provider, a clarification conversation was held with the doctor by the medical director of the region where he works. The doctor clarified that there was no intention to harm and even apologized if his words were understood differently".

Knesset member Ayman Odeh, known for his sharp criticism of the IDF and government, also continued during the period preceding the war to incite and criticize the state. On June 16, 2025, a few days after the outbreak of war, Odeh published on X network: "Both the coalition and opposition voted for the continuation of Netanyahu's war. Only our list, Hadash-Ta'al, voted against. A vote of no confidence in this criminal government of endless war".

Additionally, Odeh wrote: "Yesterday I visited Tamra. I saw the destruction. The shock. The absolute silence. My friend, Qasem Abu al-Hija, who lost his daughter and granddaughters, said yesterday: 'The loss is very heavy. I call on my brothers in Jewish society and all who have lost their loved ones – wars are not the solution. We need to demonstrate together and shout: stop the war!' I join my friend Qasem's call, and say these words, in a clear, sharp voice, and with a great cry: enough of the war with Iran! Enough of the war over Gaza! Yes to a comprehensive deal! Enough of occupation – and yes, yes to peace!".

While Israel struggles for its right to exist against ongoing Iranian threats threatening its life, Knesset member Ayman Odeh supports the struggle against the state, while inciting and harming national unity. Simultaneously, posts by members of his faction call for stopping the wars and offer solutions seeking to cancel the security threat, while in practice Iran continues to pose a direct danger to Israel's existence.

The murder in Tamra was carried out by Iran, not by the Israeli government. Therefore, a post by a Knesset member expressing incitement is irresponsible, below the required threshold, and harmful (we share in the families' grief).

Israel has a justified right to defend itself in the war against Iran, and many countries in the world support this position. Iran threatens to destroy the Jewish state, and Jews have only one state. In contrast, the Arab Ayman Odeh has at his disposal countries like Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt – but Jews have no additional states. Therefore, when there is a threat of destroying the State of Israel, it acts to defend itself.

The murder in Tamra was carried out by Iran, not by the Israeli government. Therefore, a post by a Knesset member expressing incitement is irresponsible, below the required threshold, and harmful.

P.S. Nothing will be forgotten – we will remember every statement, humiliation, and incitement. Every public official revealed in his statements his level of education and the depth of his loyalty to the State of Israel.

The photos of Iman Khatib-Yassin (Wikipedia), Ahmad Tibi, Yair Golan, Ayman Odeh, and Dr. Ghattas were taken from Facebook (from official pages) – usage is in accordance with the provisions of Section 27A of the Copyright Law.