MP Punished After Calling for Netanyahu to Be Investigated at The Hague
Knesset Ethics Committee bans MK Ofer Cassif from parliamentary sessions for two months after he accused IDF soldiers of war crimes and urged the ICC to probe the Prime Minister.
Twitter
The Knesset Ethics Committee announced new disciplinary measures on Monday against Member of Knesset (MK) Ofer Cassif, following several public statements in which he accused Israeli soldiers of committing war crimes. One of the complaints cited his formal request to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague to investigate Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In its decision, the committee condemned Cassif's actions and statements, describing them as a “systematic and consistent pattern of accusing IDF soldiers—explicitly or implicitly—of grave war crimes.”
“These remarks not only undermine the dignity of the Knesset and erode public trust in the institution,” the committee wrote, “they also damage Israel’s war efforts and embolden our enemies and their supporters worldwide.”
As a result, MK Cassif has been suspended from attending Knesset plenary sessions and committee meetings for a period of two months. During the first two weeks of this suspension, his salary will also be withheld.
The committee clarified that the suspension will take effect after the upcoming recess, since parliamentary activity will be limited during that time. It also noted that another member of Cassif’s party, MK Ayman Odeh, is currently serving a two-week suspension, and the committee wishes to avoid overlapping disciplinary periods.
In a final warning, the Ethics Committee added: “Should MK Cassif repeat such violations of ethical conduct, the committee will not hesitate to impose additional sanctions as authorized by law.”