Hadash party MK Aida Touma-Sliman did not take part in Tuesday’s Knesset swearing-in ceremony for MKs, explaining she had to attend a family event.

While the 120 MKs swore allegiance to the State of Israel, Sliman chose to swear allegiance to the “Palestinian minority” and for “the struggle against the occupation and towards the establishment of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.”

On Tuesday, members of Knesset in the 21st Knesset were sworn in. The swearing-in ceremony took place in a very impressive ceremony held in the Knesset. This is an exciting day for all the elected representatives to come with their families. At the height of the ceremony, they state: “I pledge my allegiance to the State of Israel and faithfully fulfill my mission in the Knesset.” In effect, MKs express their commitment to the state.

However, as noted above, Arab MKs openly dare to deride the declaration of allegiance and swear allegiance to the establishment of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.

MK Sliman, who said she was not present at the ceremony due to family circumstances, tweeted “I was not present at the swearing-in due to a commitment to a long-established family event abroad.”

She continued, writing, “On this occasion, I pledge my loyalty to fight for civil and national equality for the Palestinian Arab minority, to fight against the occupation and for peace, which will be achieved only when a Palestinian state and its capital are established in the East Jerusalem.”

It also emerges that MK Yousef Jabareen was also absent from the ceremony. In addition, when Hatikvah was sung, all Knesset members from the Arab parties left the hall.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)