(11.4.2017) In an unprecedented move, my parliamentary procedural immunity was revoked and I was interrogated by police, arrested and detained for five days – over the Christmas holiday – followed by 10 days of house arrest. Such radical acts against a sitting MK are exceptional and unprecedented.

While numerous other Jewish MKs, ministers and public figures have faced investigation (and, eventually, prosecution and punishment) in cases of alleged rape, sexual harassment, bribery and other serious finance-related charges in Israel, absolutely none of them have been treated in this severe manner and denied their right to due process.

Later, the Israeli attorney general decided to indict me without first affording me a hearing as guaranteed by law and customarily granted to public figures. I was finally offered this right only after Adalah, the Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, intervened and threatened to appeal to the supreme court.

From day one, I have been clear that whatever I did had no security dimension. It was a personal act, motivated only by humanitarian and moral reasons, for which I’m ready to take full responsibility.