In shouting match, FM calls a-Sanaa ‘terrorist’

Foreign minister laments illegal “Beduin takeover” of the Negev while settlement homes are demolished.

By LAHAV HARKOV
Liberman at press conference in Beduin village of al-Zarnug (photo credit: Yisrael Beytenu)
Liberman at press conference in Beduin village of al-Zarnug
(photo credit: Yisrael Beytenu)
Arab MKs represent terrorists and foreign countries, Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman said during a visit to the illegal Beduin village of al-Zarnug on Wednesday, which descended into name-calling when MK Taleb a-Sanaa (United Arab List-Ta’al) crashed his press conference.
Liberman spoke to the media on a hill overlooking al-Zarnug about illegal construction in the Negev, when a-Sanaa, the only Beduin member of the 18th Knesset, interrupted, calling him a Mafioso.
The foreign minister lamented the government’s failure, in allowing “Beduin takeover” in the Negev while demolishing settlement homes.
“It cannot be that, because of a few houses in Migron the whole country is in an uproar, but here in the Negev, no one has any doubt that there are tens of thousands of illegal structures and nothing is done,” Liberman stated.
“You are a fascist, a racist and a thief,” a-Sanaa interjected, accusing Liberman of trying to distract from the investigation of his business practices.
“You are a terrorist! When I am in charge, I’ll take care of you,” the foreign minister responded, in a possible reference to his prime ministerial aspirations.
“Are you threatening me?” the UAL-Ta’al MK asked.
Liberman said all of the Arab MKs represent terrorist groups and visit Arab dictators, and that a-Sanaa only remembers to advocate for his fellow Beduin when there are television cameras nearby.