Board of Deputies slams Likud MK who called for re-education camps for Muslims

The Board of Deputies has sharply criticised as “reprehensible” an Israeli politician from the ruling Likud Party, who urged Israel to deal with the country’s Muslims by putting them in “re-education camps” like China does.

Knesset Member Oren Hazan, whose views jibe with those of many in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s party, tweeted: “Tearing down homes – the High Court prevents it. Deporting families – it’s already losing it.

“Then came the Chinese and apparently found the right legal outline to combat terrorism – as I am sure there is no convention, not even in Geneva, that in 2018 objects to proper education. I’m for it.”

Netanyahu himself has been silent on Hazan’s outburst.

In a tweet on Sunday, the Board of Deputies said: “These are deeply reprehensible comments. It is a betrayal of the Jewish conscience to suggest placing any ethnic or religious group in to camps. Oren Hazan clearly needs an urgent and sharp lesson in Jewish history.”

Hazan has a history of making outlandish remarks and has been suspended by the Knesset for his behaviour.

He once called a disabled opposition Knesset Member “half a man” and has attacked a Jewish actor for marrying a Israeli Arab newsreader.

At the time he tweeted that he did not blame Israeli Arab news anchor Lucy Aharish for “seducing a Jewish soul” after she married actor Tzachi Halevy.

“I do blame Tzachi ‘the Islamicizing’ Halevy, who took [TV drama] Fauda a step too far – Bro stop being delusional. Lucy, it’s not personal, but you should know Tzachi is my brother and the Jewish people are my people, stop the assimilation!”