After IDF Eliminates Terrorists, Arab MK Praises Shechem ‘Martyrs’ Who ‘Resist Occupation’

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Joint Arab List MK Aida Touma-Sliman raised a furor in Israel Tuesday after claiming on Twitter that the six Lion’s Den terrorists killed Tuesday during IDF activity in Shechem were “martyrs” and  their “resistance” was a response to “the occupation.”

“Nablus [Shechem] bid farewell to our martyrs today,” the Arab Knesset member wrote on Facebook on Tuesday. “The Palestinian people bid farewell to their martyrs.”

“The more the occupation increases its crimes, the resistance escalates,” Touma-Sliman added. “An important lesson in the history of nations.”

Touma-Sliman’s glorification of a terror group dedicated to Israel’s destruction led to criticism from all sides of the political spectrum, including even Meretz MK Mossi Raz, who said that despite the Palestinians’ right to oppose the “occupation”, no violence could be justified.

Defense Minister Benny Gantz of the National Unity party said he was “ashamed of public representatives who support terrorists and are prepared to let them continue to spill the blood of Israeli citizens.”

“MK Aida Touma-Sliman proves again that [Hadash-Ta’al] can’t be included in a government or relied on to form one,” Gantz adds. “Israel’s security comes before coalition-building.”

Religious Zionism leader Bezalel Smotrich said Israel “cannot fight terror if you establish a government with terror supporters!”  Jewish Force leader Itamar Ben-Gvir said that “when I say that they are supporters of terror I mean this. An MK whose salary you pay is glorifying and praising ‘Shahidim'[martyrs]”

Shas leader Arye Deri claimed that Prime Minister Yair Lapid of Yesh Atid wants to rely on the political support “of these terror supporters who praise ‘martyrs.’” Despite Lapid’s claims that he will not form a government with the anti-Zionist Arab lists, members of Yesh Atid have stated that they are willing to form a government with support from any Arab party from outside “as long as it will prevent Bibi from being prime minister.”

Political pundit Amit Segal queried “in which universe can Zionist members of the cabinet send soldiers into battle with terrorists and are then willing to cooperate with those who support the terrorists? It’s just crazy.”

Likud MK Miki Zohar said Touma-Sliman’s words are “all the nation needs to know in order to vote correctly, to vote for the right-wing.”

Likud MK Nir Barkat shared Touma-Sliman’s Facebook post, saying: “There is no room for terror supporters in the Israeli Knesset. It’s impossible to believe that there are those who are willing to sit together in a coalition with terrorist backers.”