Former MK Arrested
"This Is Their Land": What Former MK Haneen Zoabi Said That Got Her Arrested
Former Balad MK Haneen Zoabi arrested by Israeli police for allegedly supporting terrorism through public statements about Hamas and Palestinian resistance at overseas conference.
Former Balad Knesset member Haneen Zoabi was arrested by Israeli police on Sunday morning on suspicion of inciting terrorism. The arrest is in response to a public speech she made several months ago at a conference held abroad.
Police state that after reviewing the evidence and receiving proper authorization, they determined Zoabi's remarks constituted "publicly expressing support for a terrorist organization and incitement to commit an act of terrorism."
In her speech, Zoabi made controversial statements regarding the October 7 invasion.
"It wasn’t Hamas that resisted; it was the Palestinian people. And yes, you cannot separate Hamas from the Palestinian people," she reportedly said.
She also claimed that the terrorists did not cross into Israeli territory on that day, but rather into "their own land. This is their land.”
Authorities have confirmed they will take a firm stance against anyone who praises or identifies with "terrorist organizations or enemy states," whether in person or online, in order to protect public safety during wartime.
This is not the first time Zoabi has faced legal trouble; in 2022, she was convicted in a forgery case and given a suspended prison sentence and a fine of NIS 75,000.