Israeli lawmakers Merav Ben-Ari (Yesh Atid) and Boaz Bismuth (Likud) participated today (Tuesday) in a heated debate at the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly political committee, which discussed an initiative to expel Israel from the organization. The debate was held via video call.
1+The expulsion initiative was submitted by some 20 parliamentarians from the Netherlands, Belgium, Turkey and other countries. The grounds cited were “the humanitarian situation in Gaza,” “Israel’s failure to comply with international humanitarian law” and “human rights violations.” The death penalty law for terrorists passed by the Knesset was also mentioned as an additional ground.
During the debate, European parliamentarians hurled harsh false accusations at Israel, claiming it is an “apartheid state” that killed tens of thousands of ‘Palestinian’ children during the war. They also claimed Israel might apply the death penalty to minors, and that detained terrorists under 18 suffer torture in custody.
1+Knesset member Ben-Ari, head of the Knesset delegation to the Assembly, said that “expelling Israel from the Council of Europe would be a prize for Iran, the terrorist organization Hamas and the terrorist organization Hezbollah that launched a war against us and seek to destroy us.” Ben-Ari added that such an expulsion would not advance peace in the region, and called on the committee to avoid hasty steps while Israel is heading toward elections—which she said constitutes interference in the internal affairs of the only democracy in the Middle East.
Knesset member Bismuth said that “they want to expel Israel from the Council of Europe only because it defends itself.” Bismuth emphasized that Israel respects international law, treats ‘Palestinian’ children in its hospitals and brings tons of food, medicine and equipment into the Gaza Strip every day. According to him, “this initiative is hypocrisy.”
This is the first debate on the matter. Following it, a report is expected to be submitted by the committee to the plenary of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly, with its recommendations on the expulsion. The Assembly plenary is expected to convene in several months and vote on whether to expel Israel from the organization.