Arab MK: Try Israel’s Leaders in Int’l Courts!

Arab Knesset Member Hanin Zoabi, who participated in the 2010 Gaza-bound flotilla, joined Turkey in rejecting the UN Palmer Report, which concluded Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza is “legal and appropriate.”

“Those who sent the army to stop the flotilla should be prosecuted and brought before international tribunals,” Zoabi said. “Breaching the blockade is the moral, political and humane obligation of anyone who believes people must not remain silent over the occupation and oppression of the Palestinian people.”

“The blockade is illegal and will continue to be illegal,” the Balad MK said. Zoabi, who is widely believed to have had advance knowledge IDF commandoes boarding the ship would be attacked, added she would do it all over again if given the chance.

The report – released Friday – concluded Israeli soldiers had to defend themselves in the face of violent attacks once onboard the ship, but characterized their response as “excessive and unreasonable.”

The report did not take into account that the commandos were armed with less-than-lethal ‘pneumatic guns’ when they boarded and that live fire was only employed when those proved insufficient to stop the theat to life and limb they faced at the hands of the angry lynch mob they encountered.

The UN panel of inquiry also criticized the organizers of the flotilla, accusing them of acting “recklessly in attempting to breach the naval blockade,” adding “There exist serious questions about the conduct, true nature and objectives of the flotilla organizers, particularly IHH.”

“The report confirmed my version of the story regarding excessive use of force – it was the IDF’s choice,” Zoabi said.

“They could have opted not to kill the activists, but the army used force not in self defense, but as means of teaching those who try to undermine the Israeli government’s policy a lesson,” she said.

Zoabi has long actively used her Knesset seat to engage in anti-Israel activism.

In addition to her presence aboard the infamous Mavi Marmara, Zoabi has solidarity visits to leaders whose nations are formally at war with Israel, made veiled threats for a Third Intifada, participated in riots, and characterized terrorism against Jewish Israelis as “understandable.”

Zoabi also recently assaulted a female Knesset usher after flying into a frothing rage when Prime Minister made a sidebar reference to the Mavi Marmara during a speech she was present for.

The Knesset has since stripped Zoabi of her diplomatic passport and declined to pay any legal expenses she may incur pertaining to foreign travel.

{Reead more: Arutz Sheva/Matzav.com Newscenter}