Member of the Hadash-Ta'al party, Ofer Cassif announced on Sunday that he would be joining the lawsuit against Israel in the Hague.
In his announcement, he claimed, "My constitutional duty is to Israeli society and all its residents, not to a government whose members and its coalition are calling for ethnic cleansing and even actual genocide."
Immediately afterward, he stated, "Those who hurt the country and the people are the ones who led South Africa to turn to The Hague, not me and my friends."
"I will not give up the struggle for our existence as a moral society," Cassif concluded. 'That is true patriotism - not wars of revenge and calls for destruction, not unnecessary bloodshed, and not the sacrifice of civilians and soldiers in futile wars.'"
Widespread condemnation of his remarks
Several MKs have condemned his actions, including MK Sharon Nir of Yisrael Beiteinu, who suggested he resign from the Knesset and said that he is sure that supporters of terrorism would "welcome [him] with open arms."
An organization, Btsalmo (In His Image), called for the ethics committee to remove Cassif from the Knesset after Cassif announced he would join the lawsuit against Israel in the Hague. According to its website, Btsalmo is a self-described human rights organization with a focus on Jewish rights, although not exclusively.Its primary effort in the past has been to ensure that the homes of terrorists are demolished. The organization also seeks to prevent "incitement in culture" against Israel and Jews.
Btsalmo has taken action against Ofer Cassif within the past month for disparaging IDF troops during war.