Tel Aviv, January 9 (RHC)--The Israeli newspaper Haaretz is reporting 70 lawmakers in the Israeli Knesset have signed a motion to expel Ofer Cassif from the legislative body after he signed a petition supporting South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. 

Cassif, who is Jewish, denounced the move to expel him, pointing out that no action has been taken against lawmakers who have called for the complete destruction of Gaza or backed the removal of all Palestinians from Gaza.

Earlier today, Israeli President Isaac Herzog met with Tony Blinken and criticized South Africa’s genocide case.  Herzog said: “On Thursday, a proceeding will start in the International Court of Justice in The Hague whereby the South Africa has sued Israel for, supposedly, genocide.  There’s nothing more atrocious and preposterous than this claim.  … Where we are doing our utmost and under extremely complicated circumstances on the ground to make sure that there will be no unintended consequences and no civilian casualties.”

Several political observers expressed shock that Herzog, mentioning "unintended cilivian casualties," made these comments with a straight face.