JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israel Police said they have enough evidence to launch an investigation for incitement against Arab-Israeli lawmaker Hanin Zoabi.
Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein reportedly is expected to accept the recommendation confirmed Monday by the police about opening a probe of the Balad party lawmaker, who said last week that the kidnappers of three Israeli teens are not terrorists. Zoabi told Army Radio the following day that “the State of Israel is the one that led us to this event.”
Over the weekend, Zoabi labeled the Israeli operation to find the teens as terror and questioned whether whey were actually abducted.
“The context of this operation is the Israeli occupation and Israeli terror,” she said, adding that “the only way to end this kidnapping is to release Palestinian prisoners.”
Zoabi also criticized Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas for publicly condemning the kidnapping.
“Abbas’ goal is to strengthen his hold on power,” she said. “His military coordination with Israel is a betrayal of the Palestinian people.”
Several official criminal complaints against Zoabi were filed last week with police, according to reports.
Israeli lawmakers from across the political spectrum have condemned Zoabi’s statements, with many calling for an investigation.
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