MK a-Sanaa: Zionist elements to blame for film

Arab MKs say Western Islamophobia behind anti-Islam film; Likud MK accuses them of incitement, calls for A-G to take action.

By LAHAV HARKOV
Screenshot from 'Innocence of Muslims' 370 (photo credit: YouTube Screenshot)
Screenshot from 'Innocence of Muslims' 370
(photo credit: YouTube Screenshot)
"Zionist elements" are to blame for increasing hatred and fear of Islam, MK Taleb a-Sanaa (UAL-Ta'al) said on Thursday, in reaction to rioting over the anti-Islam film Innocence of Muslims.
"This is an abomination and a desecration of God's name," a-Sanaa stated. "Whoever made this is playing with fire."
The UAL-Ta'al MK said whoever made the film does not understand the role Mohammad plays in the individual and collective identity of Muslims.
He added that "Zionist elements" are trying increase Islamophobia "out of political considerations."
"Western countries are to blame, because they encourage the demonization of Muslims and Islam," a-Sanaa said. "The UN should intervene and stop the wave [of violence], or there will be a world war."
MK Ahmed Tibi (UAL-Ta'al) asked YouTube to remove the video, saying that it offended the sensitivities and faith of hundreds of millions of people around the world, and the clip's removal could stem the current violence and anger.
Tibi condemned the murder of US Ambassador to Libya John Christopher Stevens and the attacks on American consulates.
"What is the connection between the American people and a group of bizarre people who produced a pathetic video? There is no connection, and we cannot make generalizations," he said.
Tibi called the video "despicable and contemptible, meant to light bonfires of hate while there are waves of Islamophobia in the West."
"The response to the video may not be violent or brutal," he added. "The principles of Islam are clear, and do not allow outbursts of violence, and nothing justifies murder."
The MK said people should ignore the video, and violent responses are only playing into the hands of its creators.
MK Yariv Levine (Likud) called for Tibi and a-Sanaa to be removed from the Knesset, saying that they are trying to incite Israeli-Arabs into starting a religious war.
"They are directly responsible for any violence that could happen as a result of their words," he said. "Attorney-General Yehuda Weinstein should immediately take action against them before they cause a serious wave of violence."
"Tibi and his friends forgot that they are supposed to represent the State of Israel and continue to serve as messengers of terrorist organizations," MK Alex Miller (Yisrael Beytenu) said.
Miller added that the MKs' words could lead to rioting like in Libya, and said they are strengthening al-Qaida.
"I have never heard these hypocrites condemn anti-Israel films," he stated. "They preach about democracy and equality, so I would like to remind them that freedom of artistic expression is an integral part of democracy."