Odeh Impeachment Needs to Stop

July 1, 2025 - Yesterday, a Knesset committee voted in favor of impeaching MK Ayman Odeh, one of the most prominent leaders of Palestinian Citizens of Israel. This move opens the door to a vote in the Knesset plenum, where 90 votes are needed for impeachment. 

A decade ago, Odeh rose from relative obscurity to become the leader of the Joint List of the Arab political parties in Israel. An eloquent supporter of the two-state solution, he also speaks forcefully about Jews and Arabs living together, and thriving, in Israel. 

Ostensibly, the impeachment is a response to comments by Odeh from January that are being misconstrued as support for terror. What Odeh actually did was welcome the release of the Palestinian prisoners set free as part of Israel’s ceasefire deal with Hamas. Even the Knesset's official legal advisor told the committee that Odeh's comments don't amount to support for terror.

The reality is that 20% of Israel's citizens are Palestinian Citizens of Israel. This historically disenfranchised community deserves to be treated with respect. Drumming their leaders out of the Knesset rips at the fabric of the democratic values enshrined in Israel's Declaration of Independence. This shameful process must stop.