There are fresh concerns over the future
of Israeli-Palestinian relations after an Israeli ultranationalist
member of the country’s parliament, who is accused of calling for the
genocide of Palestinian people, was appointed Israel’s Justice minister.
Ayelet Shaked from the far-right HaBayit HaYehudi (Jewish Home) party
was given the position as justice minister as part of a deal that saw
PM Netanyahu gather enough support to form a coalition and control the
Israeli parliament, the Knesset.
The decision has already stirred controversy within Israel, particularly the political Left, with Labour member of the Knesset (MK) Nachman Shai condemning the move.
Other political figures and pro-Palestinians activist groups have
also criticized the move, which many have suggested will have a
significantly negative impact on the already tense and strained
relationship between Israel and the Palestinian people.
'This Is a War Between Two People'
Known for her outspoken and ultra-nationalistic views, Shaked attracted global attention and criticism in July 2014, when she posted a Facebook status denouncing Palestinians, during Israel’s 50-day military offensive in Gaza.
"The Palestinian people [have] declared war on us, and we must
respond with war. Not an operation, not a slow-moving one, not
low-intensity, not controlled escalation, no destruction of terror
infrastructure, no targeted killings."
The post, which was later deleted by Shaked and which was posted one
day before a Palestinian teenager was kidnapped and burnt alive
by Israeli extremists, was interpreted by many as calling for the
genocide of Palestinian people, and inciting hatred between racial
groups.
'Their Blood Shall Be on Their Heads'
In another Facebook post Shaked also claimed that there was no difference between those people involved in Palestinian terror organizations, and those within the general population, calling Palestinian children "snakes".
"Behind every terrorist stand dozens of men and women, without whom
he could not engage in terrorism. Actors in the war are those who incite
in mosques, who write the murderous curricula for schools, who give
shelter, who provide vehicles, and all those who honor and give them
their moral support.
The comments attracted widespread criticism, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan comparing Shaked to Hitler.
"If these words had been said by a Palestinian, the whole world would have denounced it," he said.
The decision has already stirred controversy within Israel, particularly the political Left, with Labour member of the Knesset (MK) Nachman Shai condemning the move.
"The demand to give Ayelet Shaked the Justice portfolio is like giving the Fire and Rescue Services to a pyromaniac."
'This Is a War Between Two People'
Known for her outspoken and ultra-nationalistic views, Shaked attracted global attention and criticism in July 2014, when she posted a Facebook status denouncing Palestinians, during Israel’s 50-day military offensive in Gaza.
"Enough with the oblique references. This is a
war. Words have meanings. This is a war. It is not a war against terror,
and not a war against extremists, and not even a war against the
Palestinian Authority. These too are forms of avoiding reality. This is a
war between two people. Who is the enemy? The Palestinian people."
'Their Blood Shall Be on Their Heads'
In another Facebook post Shaked also claimed that there was no difference between those people involved in Palestinian terror organizations, and those within the general population, calling Palestinian children "snakes".
"They are all enemy combatants, and their blood
shall be on all their heads. Now this also includes the mothers of the
martyrs, who send them to hell with flowers and kisses. They should
follow their sons, nothing would be more just. They should go, as should
the physical homes in which they raised the snakes. Otherwise, more
little snakes will be raised there."
"If these words had been said by a Palestinian, the whole world would have denounced it," he said.
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