Odeh to Al Mayadeen: Broad front needed to isolate Israeli extremism

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
5 Jun 2025 01:42
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Israeli lawmakers launch expulsion proceedings against MK Ayman Odeh over his statements on the Israeli war on Gaza

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Ayman Odeh, leader of the Joint List, speaks after the first exit polls of the Israeli elections in Shefa-Amr, occupied Palestine, on March 2, 2020. (AP)

The Israeli Knesset has launched formal proceedings to expel MK Ayman Odeh, head of the Hadash-Ta’al Joint List, after 70 members signed a petition accusing him of supporting "terrorist narratives" and equating Hamas fighters with Israeli captives.

Odeh to Al Mayadeen: We will not approach this from a position of weakness

In an interview with Al Mayadeen, Odeh stressed that his positions are rooted in justice and widely supported.

"Our positions are backed by every person of conscience," he said.

"We will not approach this matter from a position of weakness. We will seek to isolate them [the instigators of the petition] through a broad Arab and international anti-war front," he added.

The petition to expel Odeh was initiated by Likud MK Avichay Boaron in response to remarks Odeh made in recent months, including his support for a comprehensive prisoner exchange and an immediate end to the war. He has also repeatedly declared that "Gaza has won, and Gaza will win."

Odeh has gotten into fiery exchanges in the Israeli Knesset on several occasions since the war on Gaza broke out, and was removed from the Knesset two weeks ago for protesting the war.

Gaza will win: Odeh draws fire for anti-war rally speech

During a mass anti-war rally in Haifa attended by approximately 2,000 demonstrators and representatives of 20 peace organizations, Odeh declared:

Israel has become a pariah state across the world, among all nations and in the West... It’s a historic loss to the right-wing ideology that was crushed in Gaza. Gaza won, and Gaza will win.

He also addressed Israeli protesters who have been demanding a ceasefire deal and the return of captives.

"Kudos to the demonstrators on Kaplan Street—but you must recognize the core issue. The [judicial overhaul] stems from the occupation. There is no democracy with occupation," he said.

Odeh: Annihilation is not Victory. Life is victory.

In a press statement following the petition, Odeh reaffirmed his stance, saying, "I stand proudly behind my humanitarian position calling for an immediate end to the war and a comprehensive political agreement."

"The Palestinian people’s victory over the occupation is a historical inevitability," he added.

He criticized the lawmakers pushing for his expulsion, noting that some of them have openly called for Gaza and its residents to be wiped out.

"I will stand firm—alongside national forces and every democratic, conscientious individual—and we will face this rabid campaign with confidence and deep conviction," he declared.

"There is, and cannot be, victory over corpses of thousands of dead children, crushed families, starving civilians, and total devastation," Odeh said of the Israeli war on Gaza.

"The right conducted this war out of blind vengeance, and was defeated. Yes, Gaza will win. Life will win," he underlined.

Israeli officials call for Odeh’s arrest or expulsion to Gaza

Right-wing Israeli politicians responded with fury to Odeh's remarks. MK Tally Gotliv of Likud called Odeh a "terror supporter" who "assisted the Gazan enemy."

Energy Minister Eli Cohen called him "a fifth column," adding, "His [parliamentary] immunity must be revoked and he should be sent to jail or to Gaza."