Hadash Lawmakers Boycotted Zelensky’s Knesset Speech

Hadash lawmakers of the Joint List parliamentary faction boycotted Sunday an address by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Members of the Knesset gathered for a Zoom call on Sunday evening for a speech by Zelensky.

Hadash MK Ofer Cassif at the Knesset plenum (Photo: Knesset)

All Knesset members and ministers have been invited to attend the virtual event. Dozens of foreign ambassadors in Israel and former members of Knesset requested permission to participate but were denied, the Kan public broadcaster reported.

“We are against war and the Russian invasion. However, I will not take sides in unnecessary wars that harm innocent civilians, strengthen those in power and enrich the masters of war,” said Hadash MK Ofer Cassif. “I do not support nationalists and persecutors of the communists in Ukraine, and no, neither do I support Putin and the Russian communist-hating nationalists. No to war – yes to peace.” added. “Very sad that good leftists are being deceived after false propaganda — and even expect my friends and me to align with the lies being fed to us,” Cassif said in a tweet.

MK Aida Touma-Sliman, also of Hadash, said an interview on Nazareth-based Radio Ashams: “Despite the pressures exerted, we in Hadash will not take part in this speech and will not be part of the spectacle.” MKs Cassif and Touma-Sliman are both leading members of the Communist Party of Israel.