Knesset members Ayman Odeh and Ofer Cassif, both representing the Chadash Party, were forcibly removed from the chamber on Monday while President Donald Trump was delivering his speech, during which he was commending envoy Steve Witkoff.
The two lawmakers interrupted the address by shouting “terrorist” at the president and waving signs that read “Recognize Palestine,” drawing loud boos from other MKs. As security guards escorted them out, Trump quipped, “That was very efficient,” prompting laughter from the plenum.
Following the incident, Odeh defended his actions, stating that he had “raised the most basic demand, a demand that the entire international community agrees upon: To recognize a Palestinian state.”
Cassif, too, justified the disruption, saying that he and Odeh “didn’t come to disturb, but to demand justice.”
Before the session began, Odeh had harshly criticized Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, accusing the government of moral corruption. “The level of hypocrisy in the Knesset is unbearable,” he said.
“Elevating Netanyahu through unprecedented flattery, orchestrated by a choreographed band, does not absolve him or his government of the crimes against humanity committed in Gaza, nor the responsibility for the bloodshed of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian victims and thousands of Israeli victims,” Odeh continued.
He insisted that his presence in the Knesset that day was driven by principle rather than politics, adding, “But I am here solely because of the ceasefire and the overall deal.”
Concluding his remarks, Odeh declared, “And to all those living in the disconnected bubble of the Knesset: despite a full right-wing government, despite the cynical use of October 7, and despite the genocidal war, the government of crimes has failed to change the simple equation: There are two peoples here, and they will remain here.
“Only ending the occupation, and only recognizing the State of Palestine alongside Israel, will bring justice, peace, and security for all.”
Ship them to Gaza. Where were they while Hamas had the hostages?
They should’ve been placed on a dumpster