Ayman Odeh is a Palestinian citizen of Israel and a prominent left-wing politician. He leads the Hadash party and previously headed the Joint List, an alliance of Arab-majority parties in the Israeli Knesset. Known for advocating Jewish-Arab cooperation, social justice, and an end to the Israeli occupation, he is one of the most vocal Palestinian voices inside Israeli politics.

Timeline of the threats against MK Odeh:

On November 2024

Odeh was expelled from the Knesset podium after calling PM Netanyahu a “serial killer of peace.” He had highlighted an airstrike that killed newborn twins and their mother.

On May 22, 2025

Odeh was again forcibly removed from the Knesset for his outspoken condemnation of the Gaza war. Times of Israel

On January 2025

During the ceasefire with Hamas and the otages exchange, Odeh tweeted, “I am happy about the release of the [Israeli] hostages and [Palestinian] prisoners… From here, both peoples must be freed from the yoke of the occupation.” This drew harsh criticism and set the stage for impeachment by various members of the Knesset. From June 24 to late June 2025, the Knesset House Committee voted 14–2 to initiate impeachment proceedings under the “Impeachment Law”. Far-right MK Ofir Katz called him a “routine supporter of terror” and said he “should rot in prison.” The motion passed with backing from all Jewish MKs, including the official opposition—a move criticized as racist and anti-democratic. The Purpose of the Impeachment Law, introduced in 2016 under the pretext of targeting incitement to racism or armed struggle, is to be used to suppress Arab MKs—while similar acts by Jewish MKs have not triggered impeachment attempts

The move serves two purposes: to distract from growing public fatigue with the Gaza war and to discourage higher Arab voter turnout — by sending a message that voting for Arab representatives is ineffective. The Zionist opposition parties joined the impeachment push, effectively empowering Netanyahu’s strategy and alienating Arab citizens who might otherwise engage politically

On July 15, 2025

A full Knesset vote on his expulsion failed. 73 MKs voted in favor, 15 against, and many—including United Torah Judaism, Blue & White, and most of Yesh Atid—abstained. The required supermajority of 90 votes was not reached, so Odeh remained in office.

On July 19, 2025

While heading to an anti-war rally in Ness Ziona, Odeh’s car was surrounded by a far-right mob. Attackers smashed his windows, hurled stones and sticks, spat at him, and chanted “death to Arabs”, all as police allegedly stood by without intervening. After surviving the assault unharmed, Odeh declared on X: “Fascism will not pass. Kahanism will not pass. We will not let them prevail!”

This attack came just days after the failed Knesset vote to expel him over his pro‑prisoner swap. It underscores the heightened hostility toward Odeh amid his vocal criticism of the Gaza war and support for equality in Israel-Palestine politics.

The police reportedly did nothing raises urgent questions about complicity and the rising threat of fascist violence targeting Arab politicians in Israel.

MK Ayman Odeh statement on July 19:

"A week ago, brave citizens who organize the weekly demonstration against the war and against the government invited me to speak tonight in the city of Ness Ziona. This morning, we were informed that fascist extremists had threatened to attack us if we showed up, but we decided not to back down. We decided that no one will silence our voices. I thank the organizers and the courageous protesters who didn’t give up, who didn’t stay silent, and who understood: we must not be afraid. And we must not let them win. That’s why I came tonight, without fear. I was attacked by dozens of thugs. They assaulted my staff and me with stones, sticks, and anything they could get their hands on. They surrounded our car, shattered the windows, and shouted “Death to Arabs” the entire time. All the while, Ben Gvir’s police stood by and did nothing. Not a single arrest. But even in the face of such terrible violence, we will not be silent. On the contrary: it only strengthens our resolve, and our will to fight. We do not surrender to fascism. We stand firm against it, Jews and Arabs together, and we will defeat it. The struggle is clear: Democracy or fascism. As we did tonight, I will stand tall in the face of fascists, with my head held high, and I will attend every protest across the country."