Arab MK to EU: Israeli Leaders Must Be Tried at The Hague

Almanar

16/06/2010 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.

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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