Investigation Approved on Arab Incitement Against Pro-IDF Christian Leader
by JNS.org
JNS.org – Israeli Attorney-General Yehuda Weinstein has signed off on a secret investigation of Arab members of the Israeli Knesset over their alleged incitement against pro-IDF Christian leader Father Gabriel Nadaf, the Knesset’s Internal Affairs and Environment Committee said in a statement on Wednesday.
Although there were conflicting reports as to the whether such an investigation was actually underway, the subject produced a heated debate in a committee hearing held earlier Wednesday, Israel Hayom reported. Likud members of Knesset (MKs) criticized Arab lawmakers for allegedly sending threatening letters to Nadaf to protest his recent statements, in which he urged Arab Christians to join the Israel Defense Forces.
According to the Likud MKs, some in the National Democratic Assembly (a predominantly Arab party), including MK Hanin Zoabi, were outraged over Nadaf’s comments and tried to pressure him and the Christian Officer Forum to retract the statements. This pressure was allegedly accompanied by threats. Chief Superintendent Revital Karako, who represented the Israel Police in the hearing, told the committee that Weinstein had summoned the Arab MKs for questioning.
During the hearing, committee Chairwoman Miri Regev (Likud) said, “We must not let Arab MKs become Trojan horses inside the Knesset or allow them to send threatening letters against a Christian cleric who has been encouraging Christian youths to join the IDF.”