Arab, Muslim parliamentarians stage walk-out as Israeli delegate speaks to Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly

The Israeli delegation to the 149th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly (IPU) faced a walk-out by Arab and Muslim parliamentarians during the speech of Likud party Knesset Member (MK) Dan Illouz on Monday. The delegation is led by Illouz and comprised of fellow Likud MK Tsega Melaku and Yesh Atid party MK Elazar Stern.

Illouz condemned the discriminatory treatment of Israel in the international arena as it seeks to defend itself against regional terrorist proxy groups.

“Every time the Jewish people stand against tyranny, the world asks us to surrender in the name of so-called peace and quiet,” Illouz said during his speech.

The Israeli delegation is at the IPU Assembly to fight against the many anti-Israel initiatives that the Palestinian delegation has put forward.

On the sidelines of the conference, Illouz and his colleagues are meeting with parliamentarians from the United Arab Emirates, Germany, Canada, and Malawi, and other countries, hoping to prevent the anti-Israel initiatives from passing.

“We are preparing for many tough battles, as the Palestinian delegation, with the support of various Arab and Muslim policies, will do everything in their power to push for decisions harmful to Israel, utilizing manipulations with delegations from around the world and 'surprises' for the Israeli delegation,” he said.

Among the initiatives is a proposal to downgrade Israel's status within the IPU. There have also been calls to adopt the stance of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding Israel's government policy in the Palestinian territories.

The ICJ opinion states that “Israeli settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, and the regime associated with them, have been established and are being maintained in violation of international law.”

During the assembly meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, taking place this week between Oct. 13 and Oct. 17, there are expected to be renewed calls for the recognition of a Palestinian state.

It is also expected that UNRWA (the UN agency responsible for Palestinian refugees) will be discussed at the assembly, with Israel likely being blamed for its current state, despite the agency having become closely associated with Hamas, and several of its employees reportedly participating in the atrocities on Oct. 7, 2023.

In his speech, Illouz chided the parliamentarians for not seeking the release of the hostages, 101 of whom are still in Gaza – living and deceased – and vowed that Israel will never surrender.

“We refuse to bow. We refused to abandon our faith, and we refused to disappear. Today, once again, we stand firm. Just as Mordechai refused to bow to Haman in ancient Persia, we refuse to bow to the tyrants of modern Persia – the Ayatollahs' regime in Iran,” Illouz told the assembly, calling on the international community to work towards a cooperative future for the Middle East.

“The Middle East stands at a crossroads today. There are two possible futures. One of hope, represented by the Abraham Accords, where Jews and Arabs build a future together, or another of endless war, driven by Iran’s ambition and terror. I call on the world – choose the path of the Abraham Accords and help us defeat the terror of Iran,” Illouz concluded.