MK (Likud) Danny Danon expressed his objections to the participation in the Knesset’s official delegation to Auschwitz marking the international observance of Holocaust Day by Arab MK Mohammad Barakeh. Danon explained to Israel Radio’s Reshet Bet Yarom Dekel on Wednesday morning that if Barakeh wishes to travel on his own, that is fine, but not as an official member of the Knesset delegation.

YWN-Israel reported earlier in the week that Barakeh becomes the first Arab MK to take part in the official Knesset delegation, asked to do so by Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin.

Danon feels that in this specific case, Barakeh is under indictment for assaulting police, “something he does regularly at protests” he adds. Danon feels at present, an Arab MK should not be a member of the official delegation, or at least make certain it is an MK not under indictment, as is MK Said Naffaa, who traveled to Syria and met with senior Islamic Jihad commanders, as was reported by YWN-Israel.

Dekel asked Danon to comment on Barakeh’s interview earlier in the week, when he decried the actions against the Jews and other innocent victims during the Holocaust, prompting Danon to state “you should hear his remarks when he speaks in Arabic, calling IDF soldiers murderers, as he referred to [former Minister Avi] Dichter and others, accusing Dichter of having blood on his hands”.

Danon warned that when Barakeh returns, he will continue to equate “the suffering of the Palestinians, the occupation and the Holocaust, as he did today prior to leaving”. The MK also pointed out how Barakeh was among the mourners attending the funeral of master terrorist George Habash.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)