Minister Amichai Eliyahu to the angry Touma-Suleiman - Look at the savagery in your villages
Knesset Plenum – Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu
Debate on Violence in Arab Society – January 2026
Mr. Chairman – Mr. Acting Chairman, my fellow Knesset members, while we're here clucking our tongues, Minister Ben-Gvir has just gone down south to restore some order — something the State of Israel has desperately needed for many years.
In Arab society, there is violence — disproportionate violence compared to any other society or culture.
Only — only — in places where there is a policy of moderate Islam, which is very firm against the barbarism growing in Arab society, only there is there quiet.
The terrorism in Arab society…
Walid Al-Hawashla, first warning.
I'm sorry it bothers you, but the terrorism in Arab society is a result of your education…
It's a shame you refuse to look reality in the eye.
Walid Al-Hawashla, you didn't say anything yesterday about "light foot on the gas" by the Arab driver, so calm down.
I want to tell you, MK Walid, that I travel on Highway 6 quite a lot. A gang of criminals rides there on motorcycles, without a rear license plate, without license plates at all, popping wheelies, showing off…
Walid Al-Hawashla, third warning. Please leave.
(MK Walid Al-Hawashla leaves the plenum hall)
Why doesn't this happen in other sectors? Why doesn't this happen among other communities? You — stop throwing responsibility onto others. Take responsibility for your education. Take responsibility for the values you teach. You incite against the State of Israel. What did you think would happen?
This is not racism.
(Later – MK Aida Touma-Suleiman is also removed after repeated warnings)
Key statement:
“The truth is that no other people commits terrorism like you commit terrorism, not in Israel — in the entire world…
This is a cultural question.”
Change the education. Change the culture. See how much illegal weaponry there is in your society.
Rely on the values of Abraham our father [patriarch] and not on the madness of radical Islam. Abraham our father is also your father — a man who loves peace, pursues peace, opens his home to guests, not to massacre, murder, and rape, not to family honor killings.
I'm not saying this cynically. You have a lot of work to do within yourselves — not just here in Israel, but throughout the world. But here it's even worse, because here for years we ignored it.
Thank God, we have a police minister who is doing wonders, restoring trust, straightening the backs of the police officers. Thank you very much.
Verbatim-style translation of the heated Knesset exchange • January 7, 2026
The Three Hundred and Fifty-Fourth Session of the Twenty-Fifth Knesset.
Wednesday, 18th Tevet 5786 (7th January 2026).
Jerusalem, Knesset, 11:00 AM
https://fs.knesset.gov.il/25/Plenum/25_ptm_10632811.doc
Minister Amichai Eliyahu to the angry Toma Suleiman - Look at the savagery in your villages..
Otzma Yehudit. Jan 7, 2026,
Knesset.
Minister Amichai Eliyahu - Knesset Plenum.
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