Ofer Cassif: Difference between revisions

Ofer Cassif
Ofer Cassif
Faction represented in the Knesset
2019	Hadash
2019–2022	Joint List
2022–	Hadash
Personal details
Born	25 December 1964 (age 59); Rishon LeZion, Israel

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Ofer Cassif (Hebrew: עֹופֶר כַּסִיף, born 25 December 1964)^[1] is an Israeli politician and member of the Knesset representing Hadash since April 2019.

Biography

Cassif was born in Rishon LeZion. He attended Shalmon Elementary School and the Reali Gymnasium.^[1] Growing up in a Mapai-supporting household, he joined the Left Camp of Israel youth group at the age of 16.^[2] During his military service in the Israel Defense Forces, he served in the Nahal and the Nahal paratrooper brigade.^[2] He studied philosophy at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and earned a PhD in political philosophy at the London School of Economics with a thesis titled On nationalism and democracy: A Marxist examination,^[3] before doing a postdoctoral fellowship at Columbia University. Cassif is married with one son and lives in Rehovot.^{[citation needed]}

Academic career

Cassif was a lecturer in political science at Tel Aviv University and Sapir Academic College.^[2]

Political career

Entering the political sphere, he worked as a parliamentary assistant to Hadash MK Meir Vilner.^[2] Prior to the April 2019 Knesset elections he was placed fifth on the joint Hadash–Ta'al list.^[4] In March 2019, he was banned from contesting the elections by the Central Election Committee due to provocative statements he had made,^[5]^{[clarification needed]} the first time an individual had been barred from a party list. The decision was later overturned by the Supreme Court.^[6] He subsequently entered the Knesset as the alliance won six seats. He was re-elected in elections in September 2019, 2020 and 2021.^{[citation needed]}

In April 2021 Cassif was filmed being assaulted by police officers at a protest against evictions and Israeli settlements in Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem. Various otherwise opposing politicians spoke out about the incident including leader of the ta'al party, Ahmad Tibi and Right-wing Likud lawmaker Gideon Saar who described the attack as "a murderous blow to the parliament and to parliamentary immunity”^[7]^[8] Cassif was investigated for striking the policeman first.^[9]

Cassif proclaimed himself "an explicit anti-Zionist".^[10] In an interview with Haaretz, Cassif said: "I object to the ideology and practice of Zionism... it's a racist ideology and practice which espouses Jewish supremacy."^[11] Cassif identifies as a Marxist and a socialist.^[12]

On the 8th of October 2023, Cassif told Al Jazeera that his party had repeatedly warned that continued Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories would lead to events like the October 2023 Gaza−Israel conflict, where innocent civilians on both sides pay the price. He called the Israeli government "fascist" and accused it of carrying out pogroms and ethnic cleansing against the Palestinian population,^[13] He was later ordered suspended for these comments and others by the ethics panel of the Knesset for 45 days., a decision Cassif characterised as “another nail in the coffin of freedom of political expression”.^[14]

References

^ ^a ^b Itiel, Yoav (7 March 2019). ""גאה להיות קיצוני": לוחם הנח"ל שמתנגד לציונות ונפסל מריצה לכנסת - וואלה! בחירות 2022" ["Proud to be an extremist": the Nahal fighter who opposes Zionism and was disqualified from running for the Knesset]. וואלה! (in Hebrew). Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Hecht, Royat. "נתניהו רב מרצחים, צריך להלאים את סלקום. ראיון עם הנציג היהודי בחד"ש" [Netanyahu is a murderer, Cellcom should be nationalized. An interview with the Jewish representative in Hadash]. haaretz (in Hebrew). Archived from the original on 2 December 2023. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
^ Cassif, Ofer (2006). On nationalism and democracy: A Marxist examination (PhD). London School of Economics and Political Science. Archived from the original on 20 January 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
^ "רשימת מועמדים" [Hadash Ta'al [List] led by Ayman Odeh and Ahmed Tibi]. bechirot21.bechirot.gov.il. Archived from the original on 23 January 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
^ Winer, Stuart. "Elections panel bars Arab slate, Jewish far-left candidate; court will now rule". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
^ Burger, Yotam. "Israel's Top Court Bans Kahanist Leader From Election Run, Okays Arab Slates, Far-left Candidate". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 2 December 2023. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
^ "Outcry as police beat Joint List lawmaker during East Jerusalem protest The Times of Israel". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 9 April 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
^ "Video shows police beating Israeli politician in Jerusalem". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
^ "Ofer Cassif summoned for investigation after violent incident with cop". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 2 August 2022. Archived from the original on 21 November 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
^ "The Knesset Candidate Who Says Zionism Encourages anti-Semitism and Calls Netanyahu 'Arch-murderer'". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 2 December 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
^ "Ofer Cassif, A Very Important Person". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 21 November 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
^ "The Knesset Candidate Who Says Zionism Encourages anti-Semitism and Calls Netanyahu 'Arch-murderer'". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
^ Freedman, Eliyahu (7 October 2023). "Israeli lawmaker blames pogroms against Palestinians for 'terrible' attacks". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 8 October 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
^ "Israel police boss threatens to send anti-war protesters to Gaza 'on buses'". Al jazeera. 19 October 2023. Archived from the original on 9 November 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.

External links

Ofer Cassif on the Knesset website

[W-1] Itiel, Yoav (7 March 2019). ""גאה להיות קיצוני": לוחם הנח"ל שמתנגד לציונות ונפסל מריצה לכנסת - וואלה! בחירות 2022" ["Proud to be an extremist": the Nahal fighter who opposes Zionism and was disqualified from running for the Knesset]. וואלה! (in Hebrew). Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2023.

[HA-2] Hecht, Royat. "נתניהו רב מרצחים, צריך להלאים את סלקום. ראיון עם הנציג היהודי בחד"ש" [Netanyahu is a murderer, Cellcom should be nationalized. An interview with the Jewish representative in Hadash]. haaretz (in Hebrew). Archived from the original on 2 December 2023. Retrieved 2 December 2023.

[3] Cassif, Ofer (2006). On nationalism and democracy: A Marxist examination (PhD). London School of Economics and Political Science. Archived from the original on 20 January 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2021.

[4] "רשימת מועמדים" [Hadash Ta'al [List] led by Ayman Odeh and Ahmed Tibi]. bechirot21.bechirot.gov.il. Archived from the original on 23 January 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2023.

[5] Winer, Stuart. "Elections panel bars Arab slate, Jewish far-left candidate; court will now rule". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2019.

[6] Burger, Yotam. "Israel's Top Court Bans Kahanist Leader From Election Run, Okays Arab Slates, Far-left Candidate". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 2 December 2023. Retrieved 2 December 2023.

[7] "Outcry as police beat Joint List lawmaker during East Jerusalem protest The Times of Israel". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 9 April 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021.

[8] "Video shows police beating Israeli politician in Jerusalem". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2 December 2023.

[9] "Ofer Cassif summoned for investigation after violent incident with cop". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 2 August 2022. Archived from the original on 21 November 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2023.

[10] "The Knesset Candidate Who Says Zionism Encourages anti-Semitism and Calls Netanyahu 'Arch-murderer'". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 2 December 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.

[11] "Ofer Cassif, A Very Important Person". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 21 November 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2023.

[12] "The Knesset Candidate Who Says Zionism Encourages anti-Semitism and Calls Netanyahu 'Arch-murderer'". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.

[13] Freedman, Eliyahu (7 October 2023). "Israeli lawmaker blames pogroms against Palestinians for 'terrible' attacks". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 8 October 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.

[14] "Israel police boss threatens to send anti-war protesters to Gaza 'on buses'". Al jazeera. 19 October 2023. Archived from the original on 9 November 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.

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@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 Entering the political sphere, he worked as a parliamentary assistant to Hadash MK [[Meir Vilner]].<ref name="HA">{{Cite news |last=Hecht |first=Royat |title=נתניהו רב מרצחים, צריך להלאים את סלקום. ראיון עם הנציג היהודי בחד"ש |language=he |trans-title=Netanyahu is a murderer, Cellcom should be nationalized. An interview with the Jewish representative in Hadash |work=[[haaretz]] |url=https://www.haaretz.co.il/magazine/2019-02-07/ty-article-magazine/.premium/0000017f-e0c3-d568-ad7f-f3eb02800000 |url-status=live |access-date=2023-12-02 |archive-date=2 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202195907/https://www.haaretz.co.il/magazine/2019-02-07/ty-article-magazine/.premium/0000017f-e0c3-d568-ad7f-f3eb02800000 }}</ref> Prior to the [[April 2019 Israeli legislative election|April 2019 Knesset elections]] he was placed fifth on the joint Hadash–[[Ta'al]] list.<ref>{{Cite web |title=רשימת מועמדים |trans-title=Hadash Ta'al [List] led by Ayman Odeh and [[Ahmed Tibi]] |url=https://bechirot21.bechirot.gov.il/election/Candidates/Pages/OneListCandidates.aspx?LPF=Search&WebId=6adadc15-e476-480b-9746-04490aedeb0f&ListID=ba72a662-765c-45af-9d48-fb68080956af&ItemID=108&FieldID=ListNickname_GxS_Text |url-status=live |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=bechirot21.bechirot.gov.il |archive-date=23 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123120302/https://bechirot21.bechirot.gov.il/election/Candidates/Pages/OneListCandidates.aspx?LPF=Search&WebId=6adadc15-e476-480b-9746-04490aedeb0f&ListID=ba72a662-765c-45af-9d48-fb68080956af&ItemID=108&FieldID=ListNickname_GxS_Text }}</ref> In March 2019, he was banned from contesting the elections by the Central Election Committee due to provocative statements he had made,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Winer |first=Stuart |title=Elections panel bars Arab slate, Jewish far-left candidate; court will now rule |work=[[The Times of Israel]] |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/elections-committee-disqualifies-arab-israeli-slate-jewish-far-left-candidate/ |url-status=live |access-date=17 April 2019 |archive-date=2 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402235330/https://www.timesofisrael.com/elections-committee-disqualifies-arab-israeli-slate-jewish-far-left-candidate/ }}</ref>{{Elaborate|date=October 2023}} the first time an individual had been barred from a party list. The decision was later overturned by the [[Supreme Court of Israel|Supreme Court]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Burger |first=Yotam |title=Israel's Top Court Bans Kahanist Leader From Election Run, Okays Arab Slates, Far-left Candidate |language=en |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/2019-03-17/ty-article/israels-top-court-bans-kahanist-leader-from-running-approves-arab-slate/0000017f-e642-df5f-a17f-ffde8b190000 |access-date=2023-12-02 |archive-date=2 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202200453/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/2019-03-17/ty-article/israels-top-court-bans-kahanist-leader-from-running-approves-arab-slate/0000017f-e642-df5f-a17f-ffde8b190000 |url-status=live }}</ref> He subsequently entered the Knesset as the alliance won six seats. He was re-elected in elections in [[September 2019 Israeli legislative election|September 2019]], [[2020 Israeli legislative election|2020]] and [[2021 Israeli legislative election|2021]].{{Cn|date=December 2023}}
-In April 2021 Cassif was assaulted by police officers at a protest against evictions in East Jerusalem.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Outcry as police beat Joint List lawmaker during East Jerusalem protest The Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/outcry-as-police-beat-joint-list-lawmaker-during-east-jerusalem-protest/ |url-status=live |website=The Times of Israel |access-date=9 April 2021 |archive-date=9 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409183809/https://www.timesofisrael.com/outcry-as-police-beat-joint-list-lawmaker-during-east-jerusalem-protest/ }}</ref> He was investigated for striking the policeman first.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-02 |title=Ofer Cassif summoned for investigation after violent incident with cop |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-713720 |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en-US |archive-date=21 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221121060316/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-713720 |url-status=live }}</ref> Cassif proclaimed himself "an explicit [[Anti-Zionism|anti-Zionist]]".<ref>{{Cite news |title=The Knesset Candidate Who Says Zionism Encourages anti-Semitism and Calls Netanyahu 'Arch-murderer' |language=en |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/2019-02-16/ty-article-magazine/.premium/knesset-candidate-netanyahu-is-an-arch-murderer-zionism-encourages-anti-semitism/0000017f-dc74-df62-a9ff-dcf74cd50000 |url-status=live |access-date=2023-11-20 |archive-date=2 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202201221/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/2019-02-16/ty-article-magazine/.premium/knesset-candidate-netanyahu-is-an-arch-murderer-zionism-encourages-anti-semitism/0000017f-dc74-df62-a9ff-dcf74cd50000 }}</ref> In an interview with ''[[Haaretz]]'', Cassif said: "I object to the ideology and practice of [[Zionism]]... it's a [[racist]] ideology and practice which espouses [[Jewish supremacy]]."<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ofer Cassif, A Very Important Person |language=en |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2021-04-18/ty-article-opinion/.premium/a-very-important-person/0000017f-e107-df7c-a5ff-e37f01610000 |access-date=2023-12-02 |archive-date=21 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221121060307/https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2021-04-18/ty-article-opinion/.premium/a-very-important-person/0000017f-e107-df7c-a5ff-e37f01610000 |url-status=live }}</ref> Cassif identifies as a [[Marxist]] and a [[socialist]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=The Knesset Candidate Who Says Zionism Encourages anti-Semitism and Calls Netanyahu 'Arch-murderer'|language=en|work=Haaretz|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/.premium.MAGAZINE-knesset-candidate-netanyahu-is-an-arch-murderer-zionism-encourages-anti-semitism-1.6935511|access-date=2021-09-01|archive-date=1 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901223445/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/.premium.MAGAZINE-knesset-candidate-netanyahu-is-an-arch-murderer-zionism-encourages-anti-semitism-1.6935511|url-status=live}}</ref>
+In April 2021 Cassif was filmed being assaulted by police officers at a protest against evictions and [[West Bank|Israeli settlements]] in [[Sheikh Jarrah]]'','' [[East Jerusalem]]. Various otherwise opposing politicians spoke out about the incident including leader of the [[ta'al]] party, [[Ahmad Tibi]] and Right-wing [[Likud]] lawmaker [[Gideon Sa'ar|Gideon Saar]] who described the attack as "''a murderous blow to the parliament and to parliamentary immunity''”<ref>{{Cite web |title=Outcry as police beat Joint List lawmaker during East Jerusalem protest The Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/outcry-as-police-beat-joint-list-lawmaker-during-east-jerusalem-protest/ |url-status=live |website=The Times of Israel |access-date=9 April 2021 |archive-date=9 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409183809/https://www.timesofisrael.com/outcry-as-police-beat-joint-list-lawmaker-during-east-jerusalem-protest/ }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Video shows police beating Israeli politician in Jerusalem |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/9/video-shows-police-beating-israeli-politician-in-jerusalem |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> Cassif was investigated for striking the policeman first.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-02 |title=Ofer Cassif summoned for investigation after violent incident with cop |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-713720 |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en-US |archive-date=21 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221121060316/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-713720 |url-status=live }}</ref>
+Cassif proclaimed himself "an explicit [[Anti-Zionism|anti-Zionist]]".<ref>{{Cite news |title=The Knesset Candidate Who Says Zionism Encourages anti-Semitism and Calls Netanyahu 'Arch-murderer' |language=en |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/2019-02-16/ty-article-magazine/.premium/knesset-candidate-netanyahu-is-an-arch-murderer-zionism-encourages-anti-semitism/0000017f-dc74-df62-a9ff-dcf74cd50000 |url-status=live |access-date=2023-11-20 |archive-date=2 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202201221/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/2019-02-16/ty-article-magazine/.premium/knesset-candidate-netanyahu-is-an-arch-murderer-zionism-encourages-anti-semitism/0000017f-dc74-df62-a9ff-dcf74cd50000 }}</ref> In an interview with ''[[Haaretz]]'', Cassif said: "I object to the ideology and practice of [[Zionism]]... it's a [[racist]] ideology and practice which espouses [[Jewish supremacy]]."<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ofer Cassif, A Very Important Person |language=en |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2021-04-18/ty-article-opinion/.premium/a-very-important-person/0000017f-e107-df7c-a5ff-e37f01610000 |access-date=2023-12-02 |archive-date=21 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221121060307/https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2021-04-18/ty-article-opinion/.premium/a-very-important-person/0000017f-e107-df7c-a5ff-e37f01610000 |url-status=live }}</ref> Cassif identifies as a [[Marxist]] and a [[socialist]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=The Knesset Candidate Who Says Zionism Encourages anti-Semitism and Calls Netanyahu 'Arch-murderer'|language=en|work=Haaretz|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/.premium.MAGAZINE-knesset-candidate-netanyahu-is-an-arch-murderer-zionism-encourages-anti-semitism-1.6935511|access-date=2021-09-01|archive-date=1 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901223445/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/.premium.MAGAZINE-knesset-candidate-netanyahu-is-an-arch-murderer-zionism-encourages-anti-semitism-1.6935511|url-status=live}}</ref>
 On the 8th of October 2023, Cassif told [[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]] that his party had repeatedly warned that continued Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories would lead to events like the [[October 2023 Gaza−Israel conflict]], where innocent civilians on both sides pay the price. He called the Israeli government "fascist" and accused it of carrying out pogroms and ethnic cleansing against the Palestinian population,<ref>{{cite web |last=Freedman |first=Eliyahu |date=7 October 2023 |title=Israeli lawmaker blames pogroms against Palestinians for 'terrible' attacks |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/8/israeli-lawmaker-blames-pogroms-against-palestinians-for-terrible-attacks |url-status=live |accessdate=7 October 2023 |work=[[Al Jazeera]] |archive-date=8 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008145253/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/8/israeli-lawmaker-blames-pogroms-against-palestinians-for-terrible-attacks }}</ref> He was later ordered suspended for these comments and others by the ethics panel of the [[Knesset]] for 45 days., a decision Cassif characterised as “another nail in the coffin of freedom of political expression”.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 October 2023 |title=Israel police boss threatens to send anti-war protesters to Gaza ‘on buses’ |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/19/israel-police-boss-threatens-to-send-anti-war-protesters-to-gaza-on-buses |url-status=live |website=Al jazeera |access-date=19 October 2023 |archive-date=9 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109180958/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/19/israel-police-boss-threatens-to-send-anti-war-protesters-to-gaza-on-buses }}</ref>

v t e Current members of the Knesset
Likud	Netanyahu Levin Gallant Ohana Barkat Dichter Israel Katz Karhi Bitan Edelstein Revivo Distel-Atbaryan Vaturi Danino Gotliv Milwidsky Bismuth Saada Dellal Gamliel Ofir Katz Golan Illouz Kallner Atiya Halevi Melaku Shekalim Shitrit Passal Guetta Boaron
Yesh Atid	Lapid Meir Cohen Elharrar Meirav Cohen Stern Mickey Levy Ben-Ari Ben-Barak Segalovich Toporovsky Shir Roll Lahav-Hertzanu Beliak Ron Katz Sarfati Harkavi Mazarsky Fridman Biton Tur-Paz Davidson Shiri Meron Levi
Shas	Deri Malchieli Arbel Azulai Abutbul Buso Taieb Betzalel Mishraki Malul Moshiashvili
National Unity	Gantz Eizenkot Tamano-Shata Tropper Michael Biton Kahana Farkash-Hacohen Schuster
NRP-RZ	Sofer Strook Rothman Waldiger Tal Solomon Sukkot
United Torah Judaism	Gafni Tessler Asher Eichler Pindrus Roth Baruchi
Yisrael Beiteinu	Lieberman Forer Sova Nir Malinovsky Amar Kushnir
Otzma Yehudit	Ben-Gvir Wasserlauf Almog Cohen Fogel Har-Melech Kroizer
United Arab List	Abbas Taha Alhwashla Khatib-Yassin Hujeirat
Hadash–Ta'al	Odeh Tibi Touma-Suleiman Cassif Atauna
Labor	Michaeli Lazimi Kariv Rayten
National Right	Sa'ar Elkin Haskel Buskila
Noam	Maoz