Knesset Vote Fails to Expel Hadash-Ta’al Chair Ayman Odeh

The Knesset voted on a motion to expel Ayman Odeh, chairman of the Arab party Hadash-Ta’al, based on accusations that his statements equated Israeli hostages with Palestinian terrorists and supported armed struggle against Israel. The motion required a supermajority of 90 out of 120 lawmakers but failed to pass, garnering only 73 votes in favor, with opposition parties largely boycotting or opposing the measure. The petition for expulsion originated from Likud MK Avihai Boaron and was supported by coalition parties and Yisrael Beytenu, but many opposition MKs from Yesh Atid and Blue and White expressed reluctance to support the motion, citing concerns about democracy and potential targeting of dissenters. Odeh and his team actively lobbied opposition members against the expulsion, warning that approving his removal would betray their liberal voter base and set a precedent for future dismissals of dissenting lawmakers. The Knesset legal advisor also noted insufficient evidence to justify the dismissal based on a single statement. If the motion had passed, Odeh would have had the right to appeal to the High Court.