RAMALLAH (AA) – An Israeli court on Wednesday will hear a complaint against Haneen Zoabi, an Arab-Israeli member of the Kensett (Israel's parliament), over the latter's participation in the 2010 Gaza flotilla aboard the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara.
"A Supreme Court panel of three judges will look into a petition filed by former lawmaker and right-wing extremist Michael Ben-Ari, Zionist activist Itamar Ben Gvir and the 'Our Land of Israel' movement obliging the government's judicial adviser to bring Zoabi to court for her participation in the Freedom Flotilla," read a statement issued by the MK's office.
"The petition claims that taking part in the flotilla was a criminal felony and that the Israeli authorities have evidence that Zoabi was involved in acts of violence against [Israeli] soldiers," the statement added.
According to the Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel (or 'Adalah'), which is providing Zoabi with legal representation, the move comes despite an earlier government decision to close the case, as well as a ruling by the country's Supreme Court allowing Zoabi to stand in upcoming parliamentary polls.
Zoabi participated in the Freedom Flotilla aboard the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara, which in 2010 had attempted to break the years-long Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip.
Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla, however, and killed nine Turkish activists aboard.
by Alaa al-Remawi
englishnews@aa.com.tr
