From refusing to serve in the military to calling the Israeli government fascist and joining South Africa’s genocide case against the state, Cassif believes that justice must prevail [GETTY]
It has been a month since Israeli politician Ofer Cassif, from the left-wing Hadash Party, was suspended from the Israeli parliament.
The reason? Criticising Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
“There was no surprise, I wasn’t surprised at all,” Cassif told The New Arab. “Still, I think it’s outrageous, it’s unlawful.”
The politician is no longer allowed to attend the Knesset, where laws are passed, debates and meetings are held, and can only enter the parliament to vote.
“I must tell the truth. I cannot avoid it. What’s going on in Gaza is a sheer case of genocide. We cannot ignore that,” Cassif says.
“I see thousands and thousands of people on a daily basis killed, almost 20,000 children. I cannot stop struggling against it, and I won’t, never, even if I’ll be suspended time and time and time again, I will not.”
Cassif has been a member of the Knesset since 2019, representing the left-wing Hadash party – full-name, the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality – which takes a more positive approach toward the freedoms of Palestinians than almost all other Israeli parties.
The politician first joined the Hadash when he was a student, and only received support from the party after being arrested due to refusing to serve in the as a reservist.
The party has always been struggling for equality, mainly between Palestinians and the Jews within Israel, and is one of the only Israeli parties with Jewish and Palestinian members.
Supporting a two-state solution, Hadash opposes Israel’s occupation and supports the establishment of a Palestinian independent state in the territories that Israel has occupied since 1967.
Cassif says he has always considered himself a socialist and will always take a pro-Palestinian stance, even in the Israeli parliament.
From refusing to serve in the military, to calling the Israeli government fascist and joining South Africa’s genocide case against the Israeli government, Cassif believes that justice must prevail.
“I cannot stand evil or injustice,” Cassif explains.
“When I see it, it drives me crazy, emotionally, and part of my problem, perhaps, is that I’m sometimes too emotional, I admit, but it’s stronger than me.”
The politician said his profound and perhaps even “irrational” drive stems from his family, who were killed by the Nazi regime, and the politician admits the price he pays is not easy.
“People sometimes say I’m the most hated person in Israel,” Cassif says.
“I cannot get it out of my head, literally, the picture of the children in Gaza and the picture of my family I saw in my grandparents’ home, whole pictures before they were killed.”
“When I see evil, I must speak up, I must stand up for people’s rights and against evil, any evil against Jews or against Palestinians, against anyone else.”
On one hand, the politician says he considers it an “honour” to be the most hated in Israel by someone who endorses genocide and racism, yet taking on this role prevents him from doing basic things such as going out in public.
“It’s not easy, but as long as first, I have the support of my comrades, I have in friends, and I’m committed to my values, I’m okay with it,” he said.
Cassif, like his Hadash Party, says he is committed to the people, including Palestinians not the government of Israel.
“My obligation, legal and political, is today, Israeli society, and first and foremost, to humanity,” Cassif asserts.
“When I struggle against the genocide for peace or Palestinian liberation, I do not struggle against Israel and the Israelis.”
But Cassif notes the majority of Israelis take a pro-Israeli stance, especially when their ancestors have also gone through struggle.
“I’m ashamed that most of the people in Israel, and especially Jews, who’ve been going through such terrible ordeals throughout the centuries, that they are so indifferent and even sometimes celebrate this carnage,” Cassif says.
“The problem is that the majority in the parliament of Israel, and apparently in the public as well, cannot tolerate that someone is telling them the truth. They want to live in [a] bubble full of lies.”
Cassif is proud and happy to say that there are Jews around the globe engaged in the struggle against the Gaza genocide, the occupation of Palestinian territories, and the Israeli government, but there is still much to do by everyone around the world to secure freedom for Palestinians.
“First and foremost, we are all human beings,” Cassif says.
“We should all join forces with no relation to our background, Arabs and Jews, Brits and the Americans and, French or whoever, as human beings, we must give priority to our humanity over and above our nationality or religion.”
“We have to treat each other like human beings. The struggle against genocide is part of our humanistic duty.”
