Hussein Abu Hussein on PA TV. Photo: Screenshot.

Yesterday, an Israeli court ruled that Rachel Corrie’s death was a “regrettable accident,” but that Rachel Corrie “chose to put herself in danger.” Rachel Corrie was killed when she was run over by an Israeli army bulldozer in Gaza, at a time when Israel was working to curb terrorist activity in the area. Corrie’s family sued Israel for “wrongful death.” The New York Times reported that the family’s Israeli Arab lawyer, Hussein Abu Hussein, said in a statement to the press; “It’s a black day for activists of human rights and people who believe in values of dignity. We believe this decision is a bad decision for all of us – civilians first of all, and peace activists.”

Our organization, Palestinian Media Watch released a video of a statement made by the Israeli Arab lawyer last month that illustrates his attitudes towards Israel in general.

In a Palestinian Authority TV interview, Abu Hussein said Israel’s founding was worse than the founding of Nazi Germany because “Nazi Germany was a state based on the rule of law for a short while,”whereas “the State of Israel was founded from the start on robbery and theft.” He also called Israel a “giant monster” and indicated that people should take action against Israel: “We all want to step on its head, but talking is not enough. Everyone has their role.”

Below is the transcript of Abu Hussein’s interview on PA TV, July 2, 2012, with Israeli Arab actor, Mohammad Bakri, who hosts the weekly PA TV show:
Hussein Abu Hussein, Israeli Arab lawyer: “Nazi Germany was a state based on the rule of law for a short while and it found refuge in the law. [However,] the State of Israel was founded from the start on robbery and theft of a nation’s homeland. Actually, the correct and true legal definition of what happened to the Palestinians is homeland theft…  We suffer from a great injustice from the giant monster. This monster attacks us daily and bites into our flesh in the Negev, the Galilee, the Triangle [region in Israel], Jerusalem, and the occupied territories, the West Bank and Gaza. Every day it bites into our body.”

Mohammad Bakri, Israeli Arab actor: “I want to step on the head of this monster.”

Hussein Abu Hussein, Israeli Arab lawyer: “We all want to step on its head, but talking is not enough. Everyone has their role.”