‘They (the terrorists) did not go out to murder with criminal intent,’ claims Bassel Ghattas in interview with Arabic language channel Hala TV.
Balad MK Bassel Ghattas defended his visit to terrorists’ families on Thursday, telling Israeli Arabic language station Hala TV that he will resign if he is not allowed to meet with “the families of martyrs.”
“The day Arab MKs abstain from visiting Martyrs’ (Shahids) families who have lost their precious sons in the turmoil of the struggle against the oppressive occupation, we will have to vacate our (parliamentary) chairs and leave the keys at home,” Ghattas said.
“This is an idiot attempt to bring this affair back to the headlines,” he bemoaned. “I said these same things to Ayala Hasson in an interview on Channel 10 last week. Our meeting with these families has only one objective. Our request is this – the return of the bodies. I am not justifying murder on any side. What I said in the interview was that these people were killed in the context of the struggle, in the context of the fight against the occupation.”
The interview, which was translated by the Palestinian Media Watch, elicited many fiery reactions. Zionist Union MK Itzik Shmuli said “These grave statements (by MK Ghattas) prove that Balad MKs continue to be provocateurs. At least this time the truth came out – that the issues of the Arab citizens of Israel do not really interest them. Maybe instead of getting on another flotilla to Gaza, he can take a taxi to see what is going on in Tayibe.”
As reported by Ynetnews