Palestinian MP summoned by Israeli police

Ramallah: Israeli police summoned on Thursday Palestinian member of the Israeli Knesset (parliament) Jamal Zahalka for investigations on a session scheduled for Sunday for his Al Haram Al Sharif comments and angry outbursts at a group of Israeli colonists who raided the holy shrine.

Zahalka was summoned in writing as police arrived at his residence and handed him the order.

“This is a purely political investigation, which I categorically reject... let them do whatever they want,” he told Gulf News. “I will not go for this investigation and let them arrest me.”

Although Zahalka is a long-time lawmaker, and enjoys parliamentary immunity from prosecution, he said the Israeli police can arrest him as the only way to interrogate him, and that requires certain procedures. “The police have secured an approval from the Israeli attorney-general to issue an order summoning me for investigations,” he said.

Zahalka asked the police force that handed him the order to define his charges, but they failed to do that. “There have been no charges, which clearly shows that the goal is purely political,” he said.

Zahalka received threats from several Israeli ministers and lawmakers and “those threats seem to be serious,” he said. “They must know that their way will not intimidate me. My position has and will never change.”

“The Israelis do not have the right to a provocative entry intended to harm the sanctity of Al Haram Al Sharif and to hold prayers [there],” he said. “We have every right to defend our holy shrine against the preplanned and phased Jewish aggression.”

During his visit last Wednesday, along with other lawmakers to Al Aqsa Mosque to confront the unprecedented Jewish raids on the holy site, Zahalka shouted at a group of colonists “crazy criminals, you’re all Kahanists, fascists, racists, get out of here, you hurt Muslims”, he said.

Meir Kahane was the radical leader of the banned Kach party who has been the inspiration for Israeli civilian terror against Palestinians.

Addressing a police officer who intervened and got between Zahalka and the colonists, he said: “Why are you letting them in? It’s a disgrace; only to hurt Muslims’ feelings. This is not yours, get out of here, go home, you’re not wanted.”

“This is my home. You need to get out of my house. You put crazies in here. You have no God. You have no place here,” he said.

Zahalka’s comments angered hardliners who instantly demanded that he must be put on trial. “Those demands were met in about 24 hours although this should be a prolonged legal process given my parliamentary immunity,” said Zahalka.

Zahalka said that the Knesset is currently on vacation and once the parliament goes into session, he would raise the issue.