Coalition Chairman MK Ofir Katz and Hadash-Ta'al MK Ayman Odeh engaged in a physical confrontation in the Knesset plenum Monday night during debate on a bill barring Red Cross visits to Nukhba terrorists. Katz shouted at Odeh: "You're here to serve the Nukhba against the people of Israel. Terrorist!"
A physical altercation broke out in the Knesset plenum Monday evening between Coalition Chairman MK Ofir Katz (Likud) and Hadash-Ta'al MK Ayman Odeh, amid debate on a coalition bill to bar Red Cross visits to Nukhba terrorists.
The exchange escalated as Katz, who earlier in the evening warned the bill would collapse without opposition support, confronted Odeh directly. Katz was heard shouting: "You're here to serve the Nukhba against the people of Israel. Terrorist!" — a remark that drew immediate condemnation from Odeh's party and left-wing MKs, who called for Katz to be removed from the chair.
The incident occurred shortly after the bill's defeat in a vote boycotted by Haredi factions, as The Zioneer reported earlier Monday. Shas had announced its opposition, while coalition leaders accused the ultra-Orthodox parties of sabotaging the legislation.
No disciplinary measures have been announced as of Monday night. The Knesset Ethics Committee is expected to review the incident.
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